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Where Do You Draw the Line with Tolerance?
Is there a point where some action, some person, or some people are not to be tolerated?
I confess that there are some things and some people that I will not tolerate. If I were to tolerate them, it would be harmful to me. So am I an intolerant person because I think distance is sometimes the best bet for my peace of mind and my safety?
I think we all need a fresh look at tolerance, at what it is, and what it isn’t. Tolerance is an agreement between two people in which each would accept the other — provided neither caused the other harm. The moment one harms the other, then the agreement is broken.
If, for instance, I am to tolerate fictional-Ann at work because I find her manner distasteful, then I cannot be impolite to her. It does not mean, however, that I have to socialize with her. If, on the other hand, fictional-Ann begins to gossip about me, spreading lies, then tolerance is no longer acceptable. That’s because her lies and gossip would be harming me.
Let’s take it further. Fictional-Ann, unforgiving of the fact that I won’t socialise with her (which is not a condition of the job), then accuses me of discrimination, and I am fired.
