Learning

I am so thankful that those who are better than me at something are willing to invest time in me.
In table tennis I have experienced or seen both.  For some a hit up seems to be seen as annihilation of the opposition.  I can understand that in part in competition.  The aim is to win.  Yet in a hit up, if I am annihilated, I gain nothing (except maybe at best a renewed determination, or at worst a decision to walk away).  I do not get a chance to improve when I am annihilated.  All my returns are seen as an opportunity to be pounced on.  If someone is like that, I tend to not want to play them.  I see it as pointless.
But I have also seen players who are obviously much better than their opponent who make sure they win but encourage the opposition and allow them to work on things.  I was a bit like that in squash.  When I knew I was better than someone I would ensure they lost rather than I won.  That way they got better.
I have seen it a bit with music teachers.  They can be really good players but terrible teachers.  The person learning wants to give it up.  Joy turns to dread.  Pieces become tests only rather than that and expressions of emotions and feelings.  Notes are on the page but not in the heart.
A great many skills I am not born with but learn.  Learning them is better when a joy than an obligation.  I learn nothing if the teacher is impatient.  At work I would give a conditional thank you to techs who “fixed” my computer.  Invariably they would be back.  So many of them are bad teachers.  So impatient.  So much assumed.  Too bad I want to learn and if I know, they may not need to be back.  I am not given the chance.
But there are others for whom teaching is not just an opportunity for self-aggrandisement, but a genuine attempt to have two or more know something rather than just one.
When I enjoy learning I can put up with a lot.  Sometimes I need correction or a better understanding, but that is ok when I want to learn and am encouraged.  Sometimes I learn despite the teacher not because of them.  If I really want something, I will put up with stuff, but determine that when it is time for me to pass something on, I will try not to be like that.
Someone I know did not agree with what they were being taught.  It was not one of those “this is something I need to stand up for” things.  So they told the teacher what they wanted to hear and passed.  Then could influence.  Failing and being out in the cold reduces the ability to influence.
Some things do matter.  I worked with someone from Egypt whose beliefs made them to be considered second class citizens.  In that place believing something or even being seen to believe something can cost.
Imparting what I know may be a limited growing experience for me, but the person who receives can gain so much.  And who knows, maybe that person will influence for good heaps of people.  That can’t happen if they walk away.