Good old ways of life
I MISS the good old days when people were more genuine and loving compared to the present times.
Back in the Seventies, everything was so different. We did not have mobile phones back then. It was already considered something great to have the landline telephone.
Remember how excited the whole family was when the telephone rang? Everyone would be rushing to answer it.
Nowadays, the telephone is becoming obsolete. Even if you were to call someone on the landline phone, it will ring for a long time before it is answered. This is because the person who answers it will be someone old, who will walk slowly to get to the phone.
The younger generation will not be bothered to answer the call because they know it is not for them. Almost all youngsters have their own mobile phones, and if anyone wants to contact them, they will do so on their mobile phones.
People in the olden days were very helpful. They did not hesitate to stop their cars to give you a lift. Nowadays, it is too dangerous to do that since people are no longer trustworthy. If you do decide to stop to help someone, you might end up getting robbed or even murdered.
In the olden days, weekends were spent visiting relatives or talking to family members whom you seldom meet during the weekdays due to their work commitments. Nowadays, you need to make appointments before visiting anyone. If you are planning to surprise someone by just dropping in, think again. You might end up being surprised to see that there is no one in the house besides the maid who might refuse to let you in since she doesn’t know you.
Nowadays, family members seldom find time to sit down and talk together. The old are left on their own since the youngsters are always busy on their gadgets. There are also instances when family members spy on others by recording what is being discussed in their absence. Some are so influenced by their spouses that they do not respect their own siblings or parents. They have forgotten all about family values.
In the olden days, people used to live with their extended family. Everyone worked together and did the household chores. Maids were employed to help with the chores only if you could not manage it on your own; most of the time it was due to health issues and having difficulty doing the chores. Nowadays, one has maids to show how well off one is.
I miss attending weddings where relatives gathered in the bride’s or groom’s home a few days before the wedding. Everyone did something to help.
The children had the most fun, catching up with their cousins whom they had not met for a long time.
Nowadays, everything is catered. You just attend the function like attending an outsider’s function.
The youngsters take out their mobile phones and chat with people who are not at the function, instead of having a live chat with those who are there.
I am planning to do things the old-fashioned way. It is not because I am stingy but because family, relatives and friends are important and nothing can replace them.
What is the point of having a grand wedding when one’s own family members are missing? Even if there are some family members who think they do not want to have any relationship with you, don’t be dismayed. We still have relatives and friends who are there for us.
It is better to have people who appreciate you (although they might not be your blood relatives) than to have relatives who are envious of you and badmouth you behind your back. No one is perfect, not even those who like to gossip about you. We should not let the behaviour of such people ruin our celebrations. Be more genuine instead of being nice to someone’s face and calling them names behind their backs. How you treat someone only reflects on your character.