Never be surprised when someone has a serious problem, does not know what to do, asks for advice, and then ignores you because you did not confirm whatever preconceived tomfoolery they hoped to hear.
See also STFL #92. No matter how wise the advice, how applicable, how reasonable, how feasible, and how convenient, people will generally favor their preconceptions. No matter how terrible their problem, how urgent their need to fix, and how dire the consequences, they will walk right off the cliff if they already have it in mind. You remember when your parents asked you, "If all your friends jumped off a cliff, would you?" This is that in action. Adults walk off cliffs all the time because that's what they think they are supposed to.
If they just took even a single minute to think for themselves or to actually consider wise counsel, they could save themselves and their loved ones a great deal of trouble.
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Copyright © 2016 Sterling Hanenkamp.