Have you met them too, I wonder. By them I mean those whom, for a want of a better name, I call the That Is Becausers. I call them that for their penchant to preface their response to anything -and by that I mean just about anything- with a ‘That is because…’

They are similar to the know-it-all kind and the unasked for advice givers in that they seemingly have an answer to anything and everything under the sun and beyond, even to questions YOU HAVE NOT ASKED. What really sets them apart though is the infuriating smugness of tone when they start off with a ‘That is because…’

I am tempted to ask them, WHO, and by that I do not mean the World Health Organisation, only emphasise the who who is a person and a That Is Becauser to boot, the heck asked you for an explanation for a sentence that is complete in itself and does not have a question mark at the end?

What do I do instead? Merely roll my inner eye, or grit my teeth, spoiling all the good work done by the dentists. Mostly though I am shocked into silence by the impudence of the That Is Becausers.

You haven’t asked them for an explanation. You have not asked them for a clarification. You have not exhibited ignorance of any kind. You have not asked them for help. Most importantly, as already stated above , you have not said anything at all that ends with a question mark. What’s more, they know you to be a capable woman, and yet there they are, that-is-becausing you.

“I think I am getting a sore throat!”
“That’s because….”

“The bus is delayed…”
“That’s because…”

“Om my! Look, that woman over there has luscious hair!”
”That’s because…”

“My mother said (something or other)”
”That’s because….” (from someone who has never met her)

“”I have a migraine.”
”That’s because….” (even my doctor has not found a reason as such for my migraine)

“That little girl is so cute.”
”That’s because…” (Yes, even that has a reason apparently)

“When I went there this (or that) happened”
“That’s because….”

“I think I like this dress!”
”That’s because…”

I am amazed at what kind of bubble they live inside that they think it is required of them to respond to everything said around them. What is the kind of glass through which they look at the world that they cannot see their own stupidity?

I want to tell them: You want to feel important? Go, do something of substance. Make a name for yourself. Enjoy the accolades. Stop feeding your self-importance by being a That Is Becauser. But… I’ll only be that-is-becaused yet again. So the wise choice is to shut up and hope for the best.

Oh well.

©️ Shail Mohan 2025