I caught an interesting conversation from behind me between two ladies inside the bus while on my way to the city. I know people don’t take kindly to ‘Marites-es’ these days but you’ll have to excuse me, I’m just an innocent bystander here and figuratively caught in the crossfire, you could say. After all, I’ve no choice but to just bear what’s within earshot, approximately just two feet behind me. How I wish I had brought headphones to drown their voices out, even though during some moments, I had seriously contemplated on donating a few cents worth of friendly neighborhood opinion or two just to spice up their repartee which was as loud as our street corner’s karaoke.
If you must know, their topic of the hour was how to raise apos or their grandchildren. A noble task worthy of loud talk indeed. For a few minutes into their chat, it had centered on their trying so hard not to pamper their grandies, but almost always in the end, failing miserably and giving in to the little people’s charms. At this, one intimated, don’t ever be fooled, kids are by instinct manipulative as hell. I could only nod in silent agreement. I was once a preschooler you know, and I learned to tug at my auntie ‘s heart strings early to get what I wanted. One could say, that’s also like learning the ropes.
Then, for the second act in the show, the ladies shifted their aim to the parents of their pets.
‘Aba, they even have the nerve sometimes to instruct us on how to deal with their younglings, as if we didn’t spend a lifetime taking care of even their littlest needs. They even frown on our old ways at treating minor ailments like sniffles or a little cough.’ At this, I can only think, no worries, what they’re actually doing is, trying now for size to fit into roles you once played in their lives, ladies. Let them learn too.
Well for the finishing act, the sight was back on their loveable rugrats. ‘is it us, their children, or the times that’s really to blame? Why can’t kids these days not enjoy the childhood we had, playing out in the sun, without being dependent on all those gadgets?’ The other lady could only gasp, ‘what’s wrong with that, just to be one with them, I too have to be a little techy, enough to search for Baby Shark on the tablet so we can all have quiet afternoon.’
In the end, I sank in my seat and just thought, “different strokes for different folks” then. But really, just how differently were the times when our grandparents treated us back then? I remember our lolas either had specific duties for is to do or none at all. They pretty much left us on our own. True, there’s biscuits, a cold drink or sweets and stuff, but that’s it. Then a simple but firm reminder, don’t go out in the street, there’s cars and the proverbial “bumbay” who takes children. With all that, we’re good. Not much kootchie-kootchie and cutie cuddles. Back on the bus, I’m thinking, best of luck ladies.
