The Nose Knows

In this world, there are what you call people who are on the mission of finding out as much juicy details about other people as possible. You find them at the workplace, at school, and just about anywhere. In the English-speaking countries like the U.S., they are called Nosy Parkers or Nosy Nellies. In the Philippines, we call them Juan Usyusero or Maria Usyusera.

Based on some experiences which prodded me to find out more about these type of persons, I learned that there are those who ask you direct questions that just take you by surprise, and those more creative ones who will start off with general chit-chat, complementing you even, and finally lulling you into a false sense of security as they prepare to knock you off your guard and provoke some kind of reaction from you.

There are probably exceptions for being an usyusero or an usyusera. That is- if you were a doctor because you want an accurate diagnosis, a researcher because you want to know the facts, a reporter because you want the details of an event, or if you were simply in show business— because “the more you know the juiciest details about a person (celebrity), the better.” The public will love it and they will love you. Or so you think. If the situation were reversed and you were the hotshot celebrity, you would probably put more value on privacy, don’t you think?

Sure, we are naturally curious beings. Our curiosity enabled us to explore the wonders of the universe, to discover medicines for grave illnesses, and to do things that we never thought possible in the past. The thing is-- sometimes, we just get way over the line that we step on other people’s shoes. We just don’t know when to back down. We want to satisfy our curiosity because we want to be able to say, “I know something you don’t know.” Then it leads to gossip. Ah. That old sick cycle goes on.

Being a nosy parker or a nosy nellie could be put to positive use in the office. And I mean only POSITIVE. By being positively nosy, you will be able to tap the special skills of a colleague because you will know his strengths, talents and skills. For example, you would discover one who may have a hidden talent for cooking very well, or another with a certain case of OCD and may be able to help in organizing events (yes, having obsessive-compulsive disorder could help). Perhaps another may have the hidden ability to write well or may have the uncanny ability of fixing things that may be useful in some situations.Still you may discover that others have the ability of editing and making great videos or making illustrious brochures or leaflets or designing things and lay outing so that their abilities may be used in preparing the office’s publications as well as presentations during special events. True-- there are people who tend to hide their abilities not only because they are shy, but simply because people just don’t know it yet. It is also true that people with special talents are just waiting to be appreciated and given the chance to show what they can do.

You must admit, it is very difficult to keep to yourself “something you know that others don’t know” about another person. So why not make it positive? Instead of passing around life-altering, upsetting or damaging information about a colleague or the office, you try spreading inspiring and heartwarming ones. Simple? Not really. Nothing is ever so easy. Even so, you just try.

On the flipside of being nosy, I don’t know if it is really out of sheer concern for another person that makes you ask the nosy questions. Sometimes, aware or unaware, you probe into parts of his life that he has every right to keep private. Don’t you notice the other person’s uneasiness or terse replies? You should be able to take the hint. I guess it’s his subtle way of saying, “you are annoying me” or “you are out of bounds.” I’m sure you would prefer these over being directly told off.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. What you don’t know can’t hurt you. Well, you can’t be held responsible for the unknown, except perhaps, your duty to uphold the law. Sometimes, not knowing a secret or the full details about someone could pay off in the future. What with the challenge of today’s society, you should focus more on looking after yourself rather than sticking your nose into other people’s affairs.

A good friend once told me about an acquaintance of hers who seemed to pry into others’ private lives at every opportunity he got. He wanted to know it all, and his friends dubbed him, “the Nose.” Whenever he was around and prying, they say, “Hey, the Nose knows.” But remember-- the Nose could be you too, if you’re not careful.

Yes, it is time to take pride in knowing more of yourself first before knowing others. You will realize just how rewarding it is.