1] Anything that makes us forget our true identity and our dreams
and makes us only work to produce and reproduce.
2] Making rules for a war (the Geneva Convention).
3] Spending years at university and then not being able to find a
job.
4] Working from nine in the morning to five in the afternoon at
something that does not give us the least pleasure, so that we can retire after
30 years.
5] Retiring only to discover that we have no more energy to enjoy
life, and then dying of boredom after a few years.
6] Using Botox.
7] Trying to be financially successful instead of seeking
happiness.
8] Ridiculing those who seek happiness instead of money by calling
them “people with no ambition”.
9] Comparing objects like cars, houses and clothes, and defining
life according to these comparisons instead of really trying to find out the
true reason for being alive.
10] Not talking to strangers. Saying nasty things about our
neighbors.
11] Thinking that parents are always right.
12] Getting married, having children and staying together even
though the love has gone, claiming that it’s for the sake of the children (who
do not seem to be listening to the constant arguments).
13] Criticizing everybody who tries to be different.
14] Waking up with a hysterical alarm-clock at the bedside.
15] Believing in everything that is printed.
16] Wearing a piece of colored cloth wrapped around the neck,
known by the pompous name “necktie”.
17] Never asking direct questions, even though the other person
understands what you want to know.
18] Keeping a smile on your face when you really want to cry. And
feeling sorry for those who show their own feelings.
19] Thinking that art is worth a fortune, or that it is worth
absolutely nothing.
20] Always despising what was easily gained, because the
“necessary sacrifice” – and therefore also the required qualities – are
missing.
21] Following fashion, even though it all looks ridiculous and
uncomfortable.
22] Being convinced that all the famous people have tons of money.
23] Investing a lot in exterior beauty and paying little attention
to interior beauty.
24] Using all possible means to show that even though you are a
normal person, you are infinitely superior to other human beings.
25] In any kind of public transport, never looking straight into
the eyes of the other passengers, as this may be taken for attempting to seduce
them.
26] When in an elevator, looking straight at the door and
pretending you are the only person inside, however crowded it may be.
27] Never laughing out loud in a restaurant, no matter how funny
the story is.
28] In the Northern hemisphere, always wearing the clothes that
match the season of the year: short sleeves in springtime (however cold it may
be) and a woolen jacket in the fall (no matter how warm it is).
29] In the Southern hemisphere, decorating the Christmas tree with
cotton wool, even though winter has nothing to do with the birth of Christ.
30] As you grow older, thinking you are the wisest man in the
world, even though not always do you have enough life experience to know what
is wrong.
31] Going to a charity event and thinking that it is enough to put
an end to all the social inequalities in the world.
32] Eating three times a day, even when not hungry.
33] Believing that the others are always better at everything:
they are better-looking, more resourceful, richer and more intelligent. Since
it’s very risky to venture beyond your own limits, it’s better to do nothing.
34] Using the car as a way to feel powerful and in control of the
world.
35] Using foul language in traffic.
36] Thinking that everything your child does wrong is the fault of
the company he or she is keeping.
37] Marrying the first person who offers a position in society.
Love can wait.
38] Always saying “I tried”, even though you haven’t tried at all.
39] Putting off doing the most interesting things in life until
you no longer have the strength to do them.
40] Avoiding depression with massive daily doses of television
programs.
41] Believing that it is possible to be sure of everything you
have won.
42] Thinking that women don’t like football and that men don’t
like interior decoration.
43] Blaming the government for everything bad that happens.
44] Being convinced that being a good, decent and respectful
person means that the others will find you weak, vulnerable and easy to
manipulate.
45] Being convinced that aggressiveness and discourtesy in
treating others are signs of a powerful personality.
________________________
list compiled by Igor,
the main character of The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho
