1. a spectator at a card game who looks at the players' cards over their shoulders, especially one who gives unsolicited advice.
2. a giver of uninvited or unwanted advice.
3. a person who jokes, chitchats, or makes wisecracks, especially while others are trying to work or to discuss something seriously.
[from Yiddish kibitzen, from German kiebitzen - to be an onlooker]
Whenever my mate finds time to watch a fishing show on TV he tends to take issue. Sometimes it's about how the guys are fishing and/or the gear or bait they're using, but most of the time it's because they're talking. If you are ever within earshot at such a time, you will likely hear a deep male voice muttering, "Oh, c'mon... you gonna fish or you gonna talk about fishin'?!" In fact, the man even owns a t-shirt that reads: Shut up and fish!
One of the reasons I, to this day, love watching Bob Ross's shows is that the man didn't just stand around talking about art supplies and techniques. The man actually spent 25 minutes painting, and explaining what he was doing while he was painting. So many other arts and crafts shows spend a great deal of time hawking their wares rather than instructing, or just doing. Trust me, if you show me how to do something, I will buy product a whole lot faster than if you simply tell me how wonderful the product is.
There are people who do and people who talk about doing. The do-ers are always the ones who capture my attention. Sure, sometimes the talkers can generate excitement for a while, but in the end, they're recognized for being just talkers. Kibitzers... they take a lot of satisfaction out of talking a good game without ever playing it, without ever getting their hands dirty, without any personal responsibility.
I have a facebook "friend" who jumps on every self-help bandwagon there is. She's always exuberant when it comes to sharing links that others have generated and inspirational quotes by others. And hey, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. However, I've yet to see any kind of growth in her life. I've yet to see her apply anything that she talks about. She's still in the exact same spot she was in two years ago. It seems she'd rather kibitz on life than live life.
Master Yoda had it all wrong. It should have been, "Do or do not. There is no talk."
My kids would probably say I'm a kibitzer sometimes, but I'm trying to give them good advice. You're right though. The internet seems to encourage a lot of kibitzing.
ReplyDeleteLee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Hi, I like to kibitz but I also love to take an active part in whatever is going. Ha. Right now I have visited about 550 challengers, and continue to do my post every day as well. My eyes are really getting tired by the days end, and my nerves get a little jittery trying to visit so many in one day. Best regards to you, Ruby
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