So we were at this very tush gathering; cameras rolling, retina glued to the podium, pen tip rolling and guys sipping their bottle water (make the thing no go finish).
Me, myself and I was also present; yes keh the three of me were there 😁, at that very great gathering. My face was facing my forward (lol). My pink jotter decently placed on my laps and my ears took standing like a starched shirt.
Present also was this young man whose appellation I failed to make enquiry of (pahdin?). He was gently seated but not gently behaved. Meanwhile, he had a stylus and papyrus (you feel my inglis bah?) but they were not communicating.
Guess what happened next. Hmmmmm, the guy’s hand started moving. I watched his five fingers moved laterally for a short distance. Mind you the meeting was ongoing and I was midway the meeting and the journeying of the hand. All of a sudden, the five fingers were reduced to one; the index, and it started sojourning. kai, wetin my eyes see ehn. Just follow me as I follow the lines on this paper. Where did we stop sef?
Yes, I remember. That very finger moved straight to my side (not what you’re thinking jare) and lodged in the guy’s left ear. Yes his left ear. Doing what? Wiggling his ear and he was so serious about it. He threw away etiquette and derived an uninterrupted pleasure in what he was doing. I had to borrow break time from the meeting and marveled at his mannerless effrontery, but then the guy no send, he was carefree.
As if that was not enough, he looked for his pen and brought out the cover. He started digging that same ear as if he was paid to dig a gutter. I was pissed on and off but then I couldn’t call him to order. Please don’t ask me where he was keeping the brownish wax from his ear (it’s irritating abi?).
This guy did open day for his body that day o. After he had finished with the ear, he moved to the fingernails and started biting. Haba Bros, at least form small for the tush and posh babe beside you nah (am I hyping myself?) He bit his fingers as if he was craving for nails and had to eat it that very moment. At that instant, I gave up.
Anyway, the true story above is my introduction to what I call MANNERS. There are certain things that should be relegated to your privacy, there are certain good habits you don’t display in the public not because of yourself but because of others around you.
Social skills help you become aware, conscious of the fact that you are not the only one in that meeting, in that bus, in that class, in that lab and in the wherever 😁. Human beings are social entities. We live, move, work and have our being among people.
I will quickly point out some things now, kindly check yourself if you belong to any of the categories.
📍PICKING OF NOSE: Why will an adult be picking his/her nose in the public? As in like you use your finger to pick the first nostril and then move on to the second one without even considering how those around you feel. This thing must stop if you’re reading this and you’re guilty as charged. Where do you keep the dirt you remove from the pit? And when they say, ‘shake hands with your neighbor, you’ll extend your hand bah?’ I won’t shake you o. Please blow out your nose while bathing, pick it while you’re in the bathroom. Simple right?
📍SNAPPING OF FINGERS: I know you often like to crack your phalanges so it can make that ‘kran’ sound, some even crack their necks too. Imagine! Well, if you don’t know, you’re merely disturbing others close to you. That habit makes noise and brings you unnecessary attention. Resist that urge, stop giving the excuse of boredom. Be socially wise, be socially educated.
📍BITING/CUTTING OF FINGER NAILS: It’s like some even like to chew it. Whichever, it’s not healthy for you. Fight the temptation to always bite your nails in public or even in your room. There is something they call, ‘nail cutter’, it is used for cutting nails.
📍PICKING DIRTY NAILS: Why is it that you like picking your nails with the tip of your pen, even in public? Some even use toothpick or rather look for broomstick. You should pick your nails in your room and not in public. Besides, where do you normally keep the dirt?
📍STICKING CHEWED GUM ON CHAIRS: Have you ever been to a place and you noticed something imperfectly round pasted on the wall, back of chairs or underneath the chair/table? Nne, there is something they call, ‘waste bin’, and if you can’t find one around, keep chewing your gum. Are you still with me?
📍BITING OF LIPS: Because your lips is dry, so you decide to bite off the dry layer. Some even tear it off with their hands. Dirty hands touching your lips, touching your mouth, then you swallow the dirt alongside saliva. Hands stained with saliva touching your neighbor. Let it end today. You need to grow up darling!
📍PLAYING OUT YOUR VIDEO/MUSIC: See bah, that your PC or phone is your personal property. Besides, it will cost nothing to get an earpiece, headset, earpods (whichever you want to go for). Stop disturbing the equilibrium of other people’s milleu. Your loud music/video is a turbulence to the homeostatic condition of others around you.
There are so many of them I would like to write about but right now I’m tired of writing. I think we should just end it here.
Learn social skills today. Train yourself to be courteous in public. Don’t give in to the urge to default. Stay on the noble lane. Call yourself to order when you notice you’re deviating. That bad habit can stop only if you starve the desire to continue. You have to discipline yours
