MAN’S INSENSITIVITY/IMMORALITY
So I went to a Chemist’s shop to get a drug and just when the Chemist’s about handing me the drug, a man came standing outside and stretching a folded palm to a woman sited inside the shop before I came and before you accuse me of eavesdropping, such conversation cannot be avoided ‘specially when the woman’s got a loud voice, lolz!
“Jide”, he said in Igbo meaning “hold”. The woman seemingly knowing what’s in the folded palm and his reason for doing such, flared up! According to her, she lost the husband and daughter and this man, supposedly her then schoolmate, couldn’t pay her a condolence visit even after the funeral. Whereas, when he lost his wife she was there.
She complained so bitterly. You may be wondering what’s in his palm. Well, if you’re an Igbo and happen to come from my town, you’d know its money. The money symbolizes pity, like you’re sympathizing with the person for their loss. So this guy saw a perfect opportunity to sympathize with her, not in her house which is a few walk from the Chemist’s shop where he resides, but in a Chemist’s shop where she came to check her blood pressure and probably get some prescription. My God! I could see a sphygmomanometer wrapped up in her arm. What a man!
With the palm folded in such a way that you standing cannot see what’s inside, he intends to squeeze the money into the woman’s hand, but he got served! Courtesy of the Chemist who took eternity to find a change for me, a sister can’t help indulging her ears. Lolz!
So my point is, so many things done with the purest of heart and intention doesn’t always go down well with the recipient. It usually is, we are the insensitive ones or the recipients are termed “too sensitive.” This guy seemingly to him is sympathizing with the woman, but the gesture was perceived wrongly. Now, I don’t know if anyone could be this insensitive to do this kind of thing, so I’m going to try making excuses for him. One or two things could have made him not to visit before and after the funeral even though I can’t think of any reasonable thing.
Now, the timing I believe was such a wrong one. The manner of approach isn’t cool and the manner of presentation, so debasing! Now, I don’t know how much is inside the folded palm, but he should have been courteous enough to at least put it in an envelope or something, considering its public, even if it’s #5.00 that he could afford. It sure would have looked more presentable and respectful.
A dear friend of mine once told me how he got asked for a financial assistance by someone he called a friend when he was on the sick bed and this friend of his happen to know about his predicament. This is someone who’s booked for quite an expensive operation and still sourcing for funds and someone somewhere, fully aware of his situation had the effrontery to ask him for money! I don’t know how bad his financial challenge was, but having him make that kind of request at that point in time, is so undiplomatic. My friend, out of his benevolence responded handsomely to his request irrespective of his own challenge.
Now, in these two scenarios, I think the both act goes beyond their insensitivity. The question is whether they acted morally or immorally. When we act morally, we act according to a rule, a principle, or a set of virtues that helps us reach a higher goal. That higher goal helps us personally and as a society, to become better in some way- happier, reasonable, compassionate, kind, courageous, etc.
There are different kinds of rules, principles or virtues we might choose as our guiding light, but here are some of the most common ones:-
“Do unto others what you want them to do unto you.” (The golden rule)
“Purpose your life to act according to virtues like love, peace, joy, hope, compassion, etc in all you do.”
“Act in such a way it’d bring the greatest good for the greatest number of people,” etc.
Every human being has this inherent dignity which is their ability to make and take moral decisions to help make the world a better place. Our consistency to living such life, lights up the crazy world that we live in. The aim is to treat ourselves and others with respect because in turn, we are encouraging our moral capacities. On that note, I wish to make known that, “The vices of insensitivity may pose as many dangers to human life and happiness. It can get a hold of one’s personality and eventually form the person’s character.”
