Men vs Boys
It is often said that adolescence marks the period of
maturity. The Webster's Online Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/) further describes it as the “state or process of growing up”.
However, on what level are we fully grown? At what point do we become men and women?
Last night, I was amazed at what had taken place during
my ride home. Like the other two passengers in the taxi, I was eager to get home. Finally, the driver switched the
car engine on and the stop light flickered: green. But then, the driver looks
behind and says: “Me a beg unu one minute to pick up two other passengers”. I
shook my head not in agreement, but in disappointment.
Anyhow, the driver proceeded towards the pick-up spot, where a couple was seen waiting. I assumed by
the innocent look and the physical demeanor of the female’s face that she was
the younger of the two. Then out of routine habit, I glanced at the male
counterpart to scan his face and the etiquette
that followed.
However, to my surprise
he had either forgotten or had no knowledge of what it’s like to be a gentleman. Hopping into the car before
the woman without escorting her first into the car does not appear as a
gentleman to me. The passengers and driver all snickered as the car drove off.
Then like a popped balloon, the driver yelled: “How you stay so bredda; is suh
yuh treat the young miss?” The woman then smiled and gazed at the window-embarrassed I guess!
Finally arriving at the couple’s destination, I
overheard the man whispering to the woman: “you can pay me fare?” she then nodded yes. Now I am not going to judge the woman,
but I know what I’d do if I was in her position.
Many will argue that the man
should’ve been a better escort, while some would say that the woman should’ve
known better in the first place. Well, my point here is that men should behave like men; likewise should women or young
ladies behave as such. We all are expected to carry ourselves in a certain way,
but that is partly dependent upon our own morals. Quite frankly, proper deportment can enhance a woman’s attraction to any man; as well
as other factors, but I will not get into that at the moment.
Currently, I’m
attending a class called “Writing for The Electronic Media, “guided by lecturer,
Ms Tanya Davies. From this class, I’ve learnt that the “show not tell” technique is quite relevant when writing for any
mediums: TV, radio, internet, etc. In my opinion, I think this should also be
an adapted principle when it comes to proper
etiquette.
Now I’m not saying that after a certain age, real men are developed. No, it takes
time and is always an ongoing process, but while on this path, men should not allow the lessons learnt during childhood go to waste. And if it is that they didn’t
learn, well it’s never too late.
Anaïs Nin says: “We
do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension,
and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature
in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and
pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present”.
