Let try to keep our heads when other are losing theirs

in #writing5 years ago

I woke up late yesterday which is very unusual of me. I could say this was caused by the harmattan and I'm not really a candidate of cold environment.

I had to get to work latest 9am, i was only 30minutes to the time, So I would say it was all rushing, I quickly had my bath as I needed to board a bus to my destination. When I got to the bus stop, I heard the conductors shout and calling out to passengers to enter the bus. IMG_20191218_071642_809.jpg

Not long after that I heard it clearly when the conductor or the "agbero" said , mokola, #100. So, I quietly took my seat in the bus. No sooner had we gone half way to the journey than the conductor demanded that we pay our money. I immediately dipped my hand into my bag and brought out #200 and handed it over to the conductor. I was about collecting the balance from him, when I noticed that he was actually giving me #50 instead of #100. Like a reflex action, my hand that was stretched out to collect my balance went back immediately.

I had to ask the person sitting close to me if it was not supposed to be #100. He made a gesture, which I understand to be "you have seen it naa." I just kept mute. My neighbour was just stealing glances at me to know what my reaction would be. I then turned to the driver again and demanded for my balance. He brought out #50 and gave to me. I took it from him without uttering any word. I kept receiving glances from my neighbour until I alighted from that bus, he had thought I would flare up

On my way home, I boarded another bus. As I entered I noticed a woman shouting at the top of her voice. I didn't really understand what she was saying, but I know she was talking to the conductor. I think I fully understood what the problem was when the conductor threw money at her. This could have been me in the morning hauling insults and shouting at the conductor, and probably collecting my accurate balance from the conductor, but I chose to keep my cool.

Why I decided to behave in the matter I had behaved was because of my earlier conversation with the proprietress of the school where I teach. She was discussing with me and complaining about a parent who was a torn to her flesh. She explained how the woman saw her and began to shout and call her names. I could see the anger written all over her face.

Then, I asked her what her reaction was. She replied that she immediately wound up the glass of her vehicle. At least people would not even know whom she was talking to.Hmmmm, I was relieved that she didn't come to exchange words with her.

But later she told me that she will not tolerate it next time. Immediately, I told her that on no account should she exchange words or quarrel with anybody in public.

I explained to her that if she quarrels with anybody, her name will be the talk of the town not the woman's name, because nobody knows the woman, but people already know you and your school. When people want tell the story, it will go like this: the owner of so so school quarrelled today with one woman at so so place. You see? That is why you need to keep your cool, and keep your name. Our discussion was an eye opener to her, and she was grateful.

Now what lesson do we learn from this? If you know who you are and where you're are going to, you will really know how to comport yourself anywhere you are.

Imagine me exchanging words with the conductor in front of all the people in that vehicle in order to claim my change which i called my right. Maybe later, I stand a chance to talk to people or talk at any event, what do you think will first come to mind? "The quarrel with the conductor." Sometimes, we need to play the fool in the pursuit of our destiny. Know when to talk, who to talk to and where to talk. People as watching your back. You might think that nobody knows you, but no sweetie, they do. Most times, you know your right, but because of your career, your name, your identity, you pretend like you don't know what is happening.

Let us try to protect our identity, a good name is better than silver and gold.
We should not allow our emotions to over rule our sense of reasoning.

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We should not allow our emotions to over rule our sense of reasoning.

It's always best tp put ones opinion across in calm manner as inflammatory actions and words will escalate a problem rather than defuse it. Which is pretty much what you said as quoted above. Good post, and way to keep your cool in your bus-scenario.

I would ask for the 100 back if I were you. On a normal tone of course, but wouldn't let the guy get free 50s from me. I know that sometimes when such situations occur you feel like testing human behavior and the psychology of some, but still... it's your money. Calm is a scarce attitude these days unfortunately...

You are right, I did that not to get myself delayed because I was already late for work. And you know those conductors could be so frustrating at times that one would ended up picking a fight with them which don't always work out well.