A memory just invaded my mind and I need to tell you all because I have nothing else going on, okay?
Do not yell when you are talking to friends. "Pen, normal people have fun with their friends, you loser!" You might say. Great! I'm not talking about having fun!
"Well, what are you talking about, Pen?" You may patiently ask, like a good audience—to which I applaud you.
You see, I am specifically talking about revelations! New information is exciting, right? You may find yourself so surprised you just yell it out to the world!
Not very helpful, though, is it? You see, when people mishear what their friends say and yell about it, this creates a bigger misunderstanding. Example: Person A says, calmly, "I think that wig has fleas." Person B responds, loudly, "you have fleas?!" Now that causes everyone else to look over, leaving Person A to quickly explain, "no, I meant the wig" to Person B.
Everyone else nearby, except for Person B, believes Person A has fleas. This is how it creates a bigger problem.
Now, "what if I didn't mishear, Pen? That makes it okay!" No. No, it does not. D:,
If your friend, your Person A, wanted everyone else to know they would say so themselves. They would yell it themselves, or specifically ask you to. It is not okay for you to share everything that is going on with them to people—strangers, especially—nearby without their consent. :(
Let's say Person A is talking about a surprise party for Person C! You, Person B, do not know who Person C is. With this new revelation, you find yourself so excited to help, you end up yelling out "a surprise party? Who's this lucky Person C?" Person C is in the same hallway. The surprise is unfortunately rendered useless.
We didn't intend to, but we just created a new conflict. Person A wishes they never spoke up, and feels embarrassed, humiliated even, and uncomfortable. ^^'
Instead of yelling out, we can (quietly) ask for confirmation. If you can't help it, maybe try changing the target, example: "a surprise party?—I didn't know it was your [family member]'s birthday soon!" This keeps the party a secret from Person C. If you end up saying the entire sentence: "a surprise party? Who's this lucky Person C—that might be able to help you out? Are they busy, do you need extra help from me?"
Nice! You saved the conversation! You also learned new information and didn't make your friend regret telling you at all! That's great. :)
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