Taste of own medicine

I swear humans have this perverse mindset that only through hardship will we really improve or come to appreciate how inadequate we are. Not that we do not take note if people tell us nicely, but somehow, sometimes it takes a whole lot more than just a gentle reminder for us to get some ideals in our head.

A case in point would be the recruits i used to take. Having a firm resolution not to kena makan by these 'test market' worms, i took up the appointment of a pretty bitter platoon sergeant whose belief was to push the recruits hard to force an improvement out of them. Eventually, i ended up pretty darn unpopular throughout the whole course. But somehow, when it all comes down to the last day and their appraisals are consolidated and read, its the tough times (and difficult sergeants) they claim to remember and learn most from, though i admit that a minority few still had pretty strong resentment against us.

Fast-forwarding to the present, I've just got the exact treatment from my dad over driving rather poorly. Naturally, i wasn't too pleased. However, after sometime, i found it ironic that now i was in the recruit's shoes and and my dad was like the platoon sergeant. Yet another lesson that going through army has taught me. Secretly, i was glad. But also, damn worried, cause I've been told by too many people that I've been bringing my platoon sergeant side out too much to face everyday people even now in my civilian life. Maybe that's why some juniors in AHBand may be uncomfortable or dislike me. But it's probably just a normal reaction to an 'oldie'. Haha..

So next time someone's strict and maybe overbearing and giving scathing remarks, don't be so quick to pass judgement. He/she may be just enjoying screwing with you, OR more likely, he/she cares a lot but does not know how to express it properly and has chosen a more traditional way of expressing it. We can't always expect everyone to have a sweet tongue. That's what makes praise from these sources all the more valuable.
That being said, no harm learning how to sweet talk a bit eh? ;)

Cheers.