Steem4nigeria Accelerator Contest Week 91: Not what you think.

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As he stared at my face, I could see the unbelief- clearly written over it. I knew this guy, he wouldn't take No for an answer and neither would he allow me explain things. He has always been this way, headstrong and fully opinionated. Did I really care this time around - Circumstances have made me care.

What do you understand by being "Misunderstood"?

Being misunderstood is a situation where your actions, attitudes and even words are taken to mean things other than what you intended and the other party(ies) have refused to see light from your perspective even when you explain. Sometimes they don't even allow you the breathe to explain.

Have you found yourself in such a situation, if yes, kindly share with us your experience.

Sad sigh 😔. The year I can't remember clearly now, but somehow I found myself sharing food at an event I had attended. It was an extended family occasion. Somehow the food vendor needed help and so an elder brother had asked me to help out giving me strict instructions on the people to keep food for. The reason being that I was in attendance at the white wedding early and I knew those who had come early. Those who came for the white wedding had been counted before time so the vendor just brought food for them. The rest of the people would eat at the traditional wedding and I was asked to direct the servers on who to give.
I had finished sharing the food to those I was asked to give and all of a sudden someone called my name and was shouting that I refused to give him, that I was the reason they insulted him, this and that.
I was genuinely shocked. It turns out a lady had given him some food and he didn't like what he was served and asked to be served from the place where I was sharing and the servers turned him down. They mentioned my name as the person who would say who was to be given that particular dish. I wasn't even there when the conversation happened neither was I aware of what took place.

After shouting at me for a few minutes, I apologised, went in and took my own food to him as food had finished, yet he refused. I begged, tried explaining that I wasn't involved in the issue, and that my name being mentioned was a misunderstanding from the servers. All my efforts felt to deaf ears as he wasn't ready to listen nor did he want to be placated. Because of this, he went around spreading false news that because of ordinary food, I insulted him. I got calls from a lot of people that season asking what the matter was. When I explained to them, they understood, but he never did.

How did you feel and how did you handle the misconception

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Oh I felt so bad. I hate being slandered or misunderstood if I can help it. I tried explaining to him but he wouldn't listen to me or even allow me explain. After a while, I let the matter go.

Is there any advice you would love to give to your readers so they don't find themselves in your shoes.

They say that communication is only complete when both parties understand. I've found this to be true. As much as possible, in your actions or words or attitudes strive to communicate well.

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Once you see someone or a set of people seem not to understand what you're doing or saying, patiently explain it to them,(if they're important to you) in ways it can be understood.

• Don't let a matter linger for long. People draw conclusions from what they don't understand and most times those conclusions are negative.

Anyways I invite @pandoradiary @ruthjoe and @hyacinthfavour to come chook mouth for this Mata.