PINEVERGREEN FOREST





Friendly
(Kimberly’s thoughts)

GLOSSARY (Trinidad/Caribbean slang words and meanings:) Brought-up-cy ------ basic manners or etiquette that should be thought as a child. Darkee -------- an attractive, dark skinned person, male or female, Eh --------------- an interjection like "…., you know." Fren ------------ friend. Meh ------------ me Yuh ------------- you or your.

K imberly Jordan has stepped out of her house, dressed in her work clothes, on her way to work. She walks down her street on Kettle Lane in Kettle Heights, Arouca as she thinks about what it really meaning to be friendly and the different ways that people show it in this society. In this case, The only society she has known for the 19 years of her life, the society that she has grown up in, Trinidad and Tobago. "I could remember when my mother used to tell me about when people used to be more friendly. Well not really friendly but at least more polite, so it seemed that way." "People used to say good morning, good evening or good day when they pass each other on the street. But now, hmm, I’m not sure. But then again, I might be wrong, eh. I mean, there are some people who are naturally more friendly than others, while others take some time to open up." A young man in his twenties walks by in the opposite direction. "Like this guy walking pass me now, It took me years to get to know him and he lives just about four houses away from mine. Not that he was unfriendly. Just a little shy." A woman, about forty-ish, walks by with a huge smile and a wave. "And this one, Well she is a more open and out going person. She does smile and wave at every body.” A mid aged woman passes by in the opposite direction on the other side of the road. "But there are others who act as though yuh don’t even exit. Like this lady. Some times ah does still continue to tell her good morning but she don’t even give eye contact. That is one thing with me, eh, and I guess most people too. I tend to look for at least a little eye contact first before I tell some one good day. Especially from strangers and people I don’t know well. When I get the impression that someone does not want to make eye contact, I become indecisive as to whether I should greet them or not. Sometimes I do, Sometimes I don’t. Some times one particular person will respond one day but on another day he or she wouldn’t even mumble at me. Just pass meh straight! I don’t hold any bad feeling against them though. They are only human. I think I may be guilty of that gesture to (or the lack of gesture). I mean the part about not giving eye contact when I should have." "Some of my friends tell me that I tend to have a serious face most of the time. I was quite unaware of that. Is not like if I could walk around with a grin all the time. But I always answer back when I hear a greeting though. Well ...of course...except those fellas. Those rude fellas. Who only want to get "friendly" with me for...hoping for...flirtatious glances and fulfil their lustful desires with erotic responses. But they never get any from me though. Never will, thank you." But fellas have a really weird but inventive way of greeting each other and being friendly. They would say: :Wham now!" with both hands lifted. "Way yuh sayin!" "Aye soldier!" "Yeah horse!" "Woh!" "Or they would bounces their fist together. If they have a beer in their hands they would bounce their elbows together." Then they have even weirder and more inventive way of greeting me and other girls they think are attractive. Cat calls like, "Psssssttt!" and kissing sounds with their lips. "*kiss*!" And, "Pretty, pretty dolly, come nah!" or, "Fren, fren, pssst, come nah!" or "Oh goooood, all that is yours, gyul...?!" "Sweetness!", "Pssst, Darkee!" "Sexy, SEXY!" etc, etc. Yuh know what ah mean nah. With no respect, no "brought-up-cy." Very little charm. Just ramblings of pure testosterone. But some girl actually like that sought of attention, eh." "I'm not saying that we all have to go and take crash courses in etiquette and public relations. I mean, after all, in general we are a warm and friendly people. We are known by tourist for our hospitality. Yet still, society is becoming more hostile and we are becoming more friendly with video games, cable TV, knives and guns rather than with each other. Playing fields are gradually becoming killing fields and dates are turning to rape. It makes me think twice about being friendly to strangers but I don't want to seem cold and unapproachable. So, if I pass you by, most likely I will still tell you "hello." "Good day."

Fungus Operandi #1

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