Filter Coffee # 194

On No Comments

Dear Readers,

FC 193 on ‘Story per Storey’ did not elicit any comment, although Tarun Kunzru added his twist to the last story and wrote: “And the saga continued. The poor guys returned to the car to get the keys but couldn't find them. The keys were eventually found in the inside pocket of a jacket.”

Since, understandably, there were no comments, the caption of this post shall be:

❌ No Comments

Readers will agree that the phrase ‘no comments’ has been heard or uttered any number of times in a variety of situations. It is usually a curt response to a question asked or in response to an opinion sought. Imagine a scenario where two friends are discussing a situation involving them and a third person (call him Jack). One of them remarks, “The situation would have been under control if Jack had acted quickly. Do you agree?” The other person says, “No comments.” 

Why would he hide behind this phrase? Is he a friend of Jack unwilling to portray him in a poor light? Since he was present and had witnessed how Jack conducted himself, he could have replied  “Yes, I agree.” or “I disagree.”

When someone says ‘no comments’, he or she may be ducking the question, not wanting to take a position or express an opinion. It could also be due to a lack of authority. When the media is interfacing with a politician, some of the questions posed fetch a ‘no comments’ response.

The media can interpret this to mean that the person has an answer but refuses to give it for want of authority or for fear of having to explain or justify.

In certain situations, ‘no comments’ can be taken as an affirmation of a fact. It is akin to ‘silence amounting to admission’. People are generally curious about other people’s business. Questions like, ‘Is it true that his business is in trouble?’, ‘Is it true that he has some kind of cancer?’, ‘Is it true that his daughter has a live-in partner?’ may fetch a ‘no comments’ answer if the person to whom the question is addressed is protective of the subject person. 

Some may prefer ‘no comments’ to disagreeing. For instance, a person tells his colleague that the boss is very political and has a coterie. The colleague prefers not to comment and may say it with a tone of disapproval, refusing to be drawn into the discussion. He may well be disagreeing with what was said about the boss but decides to bite his tongue. This reminds me of the following quote alluded to Napoleon Bonaparte:

“The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.”

Cowardly may be too harsh a word. Some likely prefer making ‘no comment’ to disagreeing and having to defend the disagreement. Comments are based on one’s own opinion, and they may not find an endorsement unless someone shares that opinion. While the comment is based on an opinion, it may just be someone’s belief. If my readers comment on my post, it is an opinion if they express their liking, but it is a comment if they qualify their liking or add some of their own opinions which compliment or supplement the post.

‘Don’t quote me’ is another interesting phrase. It is a kind of disclaimer. If someone should tell you ‘don’t quote me’, you are expected to take it with a pinch of salt. When people share their opinions or information, they may not want to be quoted or held accountable for what they share. Journalists encounter this phrase often, and by agreeing to ‘not quote’ they assume responsibility to not disclose their source of information.

‘No comment’ is not the right response when dealing with a rumour or gossip. Not calling out either of them may perpetuate or lend credence to them. How is gossip different from rumour?  Gossip is understood to be a discussion about other people, and their lives, and at times it meanders into making some personal remarks. Rumour on the other hand is like a story or unconfirmed news spread among people. In gossip, too, rumour can feature. For example, while gossiping about someone’s personal life, one could be heard saying “I hear rumours that he is involved with someone”. Whether it be gossip or rumour, by saying ‘no comments’ you unwittingly lend credence to something which you may not be privy to or about which you have no personal knowledge.

Now to end in a lighter vein, here’s a conversation between two guys P1 & P2 which shows that a conversation can be had instead of ‘no comments’:

P1: Hi, did you like the novel ‘Story of The Lady on The Second Storey’ by A.N.Onym?

P2: Yeah, but I saw no connection in the story between the lady and the second storey!

P1: Well, it’s just a title. Don’t have to take it seriously. Maybe the author wanted a catchy title?

P2: I saw no connection with the second storey except that the lady goes upstairs and downstairs, like Wee Willie Winkie, looking for her cat.

P1: Don’t trivialise an award-winning novel.

P2: Sorry, these days awards can be managed.

P1: That’s an unfair comment.

P2: I am making that comment after struggling through that novel. Did you read the novel after it got the award?

P1: Yes, I got curious and read the novel after it got the award.

P2: There you go, you convinced yourself that it is good because it won an award, right?

P1: No!  It bagged the award because the jury was impressed by the portrayal of the bond between a spinster and her cat.

P2: I don’t know if the jury was swayed by the feline or the female, but it is an insufferable story.

P1: I don’t agree with you. 

P2: Neither do I agree with you.

P1: Ok, let’s agree to disagree.

P2: I agree!

Dear Readers, I hope you send in your comments and not just say ‘no comments’ 🙂 Until next week, take care! Ciao