Tolerance. You’ve probably heard this word one too many times over the past few months, but for good reason. The world has been especially chaotic and cruel this year, making 2020 the year of the protest.

We mostly feel the need to be tolerant, empathetic and compassionate towards people we hear about in the news - such as children dying in Yemen or the Black Lives Matter community - that we often end up forgetting the other everyday people who are in just as much need of our tolerance, empathy and compassion.

It’s good to look at the bigger picture, but how about we start with the smaller pieces of the puzzle first? 

In celebration of the International Day for Tolerance (November 16), these are the everyday people whom we get frustrated at all too quickly and why they’re deserving of much more tolerance.

Babies

Yes, babies! Were you not a baby once? Did you not fill entire rooms, supermarkets and planes with your screams? Mothers are exhausted enough as it is and they really can’t control their very young child’s cries, however, you can control your frustration by putting yourself in their shoes, or better yet, in their baby’s teeny shoes!

Low IQ people

No one wants to deal with someone who isn’t the sharpest tool in the box. It’s frustrating and annoying and my God does it make you want to inject them with the smart gene, however, that’s just the way their brain functions, so it’s not their fault they’re unable to process things as intelligently as you. All you can do is give them a break and a few extra (long) minutes to get with the programme.

Social media Drama Queens

We all follow at least one person on social media who floods our feeds with whining/moaning-filled posts, radical opinions on small or big matters and overshares everything to the point where you know their mum’s cousin’s bathroom schedule! Go easy on those people for they’re clearly in much need of attention and understanding but are outpouring their emotions the wrong way, on the wrong platforms.

Old people

Ah huh, we are talking about the elderly here. The ones we are supposed to respect and tolerate regardless of how slow they’ve become, how clueless they are about technology or a million other things. They’re from a different generation and one day, you too will need those younger than you to let you do things at your own pace. And remember, just because you’re old, doesn’t mean that you’re stupid!! 

Karens, aka ignorant people

You know, there are too many Karens in this world but the best way to deal with them is by being tolerant towards them. No, do not tolerate their racist, ignorant opinions by getting them off the hook, tolerate them by not exploding at them and, instead, explaining to them why they’re wrong. After all, education is the only cure for ignorance. 

Young people

Bless those young souls who think they’ve figured life out at 14! It really is annoying how Gen Z is a know-it-all generation but were we not all like that once? It’s called “growing up” for a reason, and with time comes wisdom and more understanding, so let’s not be too harsh on them and instead let life be their teacher. 

Foreign language speakers

Just because someone doesn’t speak your language, it does NOT make them stupid; it’s wrong to associate someone’s lingual abilities with their intelligence. If a tourist or migrant has a thick accent or is unable to explain themselves in your language, don’t give them the cold shoulder. Be kind and use the technology that’s glued to your hand (your phone) to try and understand what they need. Languages are beautiful and should be celebrated. Mazboot?