‘'Listenuuuuuh,' cabaret artist Paul van Vliet roared for years in his role as Major Kees to full houses.
Listening. We hear all sorts of things, but do we really listen? And to whom? Not to The Citizen, if I may believe. Who isn't listening, then? The complainers know that too. Politicians. Civil servants. They are at the top of the top three, acting as the scapegoat.’
‘'They' don't listen. It has by now become an almost standard complaint of People from Nieuwediep who are against something. Apparently, people are listening terribly. to De Burger. So bad, that entire political parties in this city their campaigns to gather votes build on the promise that they *will* go to De Burger will listen.
Actually quite fascinating, such an election promise. A tad risky, too. Because who is De Burger? I always find it quite funny when a handful of people on social The media claims that 'the population of Den Helder' thinks this or that. I'm never wrong. asked.
Even more interesting is the question of how, as a political party, you address the problems of this city and of our society will solve, if you always and everywhere listen to The Citizen. After all, in Den Helder there is always someone against something. Then becomes it is indeed very complicated. Many protest parties go after their first Election success down the drain. Simply because they didn't keep their promises. can fulfill. Disappointed voters then switch to a another protest party. That one promises, sure enough, to listen better to De Burger.
Actually, that 'the citizen is not being listened to' is a very strange accusation. What is meant, of course, is: I am not getting my way.
If someone is against something and it happens anyway, that doesn't mean at all that that no one listened. Only a different choice was made. If your child asks for a is fishing for candy and you say no; did you not listen to him or her then? Or Did you just make a different assessment?
Listening literally means: hearing with attention. Once upon a time there was a alderman with strong empathy. When he was once again opposite When protesting residents sat down, he regularly said: "I share your concern." Sometimes they received The angry residents were right. They didn't get that very often. But the sting was taken out, The alderman had at least listened to them.
Discussions are best conducted with persuasiveness and arguments. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. The latter means: then you don't get your way. It begins It goes without saying that you are open to each other's arguments, concerns, and wishes., ideas. And then makes careful considerations. Only then does listenúúúh! really get meaning.
RONALD DEN BOER
