When are hints really well-aimed manipulation? Answer: When you receive more than one.

Lately, it feels like I'm being bombarded with hints aimed at making me feel a certain way, so I will respond in an expected way. I'm tired of playing.

So, I've begun to fall back on an ancient practice taught to me by my parents - playing dumb. As a child, I thought playing dumb meant acting stupid, but the practice goes much deeper than that. It means being dumb - mute.

When I was five and my grandmother drove up the drive to our house, my father would grab me by the arm and fiercely whisper, "Play dumb."
"What about?"
"Don't tell her you saw my girlfriend...or helped me collect bootleg money...or fill in the blank indisgressions. "Don't tell my mother the cow got out of the pasture, again. Play dumb."

So, I've decided to revert to that bit of wisdom and keep my mouth shut. I'll not automatically volunteer or apologize for something I've not done. I won't fall for the not-so-subtle hints. Instead, I'll play dumb.

I've got a feeling I'm about to piss a few folks off. Not playing along will not be popular, but of course I won't notice--I'll just pinch my lips together and keep quiet.

Hmm. More later...if I'm talking.