La retórica es tu arma mas letál--Shakira

The old childhood saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is as far from the truth as it gets. Though physically true, the power of words can have a much more crippling effect than a broken bone.

In the song "No," Shakira sings to an ex to stop speaking in plural form, admitting that his rhetoric is his most lethal weapon. A powerful statement in and of itself. Though I am a firm believer that psychological damage is much more painful and more difficult to overcome, there are only a few people that I have met that truly can use language as a weapon. Of course, they don't (for the most part) realize their power, which is pretty scary too, but prevents them from doing even more damage.

Dealing with people like this is hard, especially when you love them and highly value their opinion. When you ask (or when it is unsolicited) for advice, you must bear the truth as only they can deliver, and that can be grueling. Worse even is when you get into a fight with one of these diction soldiers. Their words sting, and they always aim for open wounds to up the pain factor. I must be a masochist because I naturally am surrounded by such creatures.

But as a communication theory grad I must add my following observation. Theory teaches us that the goal of communication is silence; a point of such deep understanding that words are superfluous. Note: silence therefore denotes meaning (specified by those involved). Now I know that as the goal of communication silence plays a positive role representing the interconnectedness of a relationship, but I say if words can be ruthless in meaning, a silent response is heavy and shattering. Lethal, if you will, as it difinitively marks an end.

A cold shoulder, the silent treatment, the blatant disregard for someone who awaits on your reply, that, my friends, is the most cruel and selfish act you can commit. It can be the most painful experience one can endure, more so when it is done by the person whom you love and trust most.

To add insult to injury, when you finally accept the silence (usually accompanied by a side of heartache) and move on, it starts raining apologies and excuses. Well, Shakira (a very powerful writer) says it best:

No,
No intentes disculparte,
No jueges a insistir,
Las escusas ya existian antes de ti.

No,
No me mires como antes,
No hables en plural,
La retórica es tu arma mas letál.

Voy a pedirte que no vuelvas mas,
Siento que me dueles todavia aqui [adentro]
Y que a tu edad sepas bien lo que es...
Romperle el corazón a alguien así...