Kitty Litter
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit
Good Lord. Just when I thought that crass commercialism couldn't get any worse, I visited SM yesterday and saw that the Christmas displays were out on sale already. Hello, people, what about Halloween? I get the feeling they'd be happier if they could just stick a hose into our wallets and ATMs and just suck, suck, suck. (If that took you to a scary visual place-- ala Xander-- then congratulations.) Sigh.
*_*
It did remind me of something my sister Kit Kat encountered about two years ago, when she first learned how to drive. You know how carolers litter the streets during the Christmas season? One guy came up to her, and, feeling sorry for the poor soul, she dug into her coin tray and prepared to give him five bucks. Ordinarily, she prefers to shoo such people away, especially if they look capable of supporting themselves. Other times, she likes to give them food. But this one was particularly grim- and cadaverous-looking, and she had no food on hand, so she gave him cash.
He refused to take it without giving her something back, though. With a dignified step back, he drew breath, then proceeded to sing.
Well, "chant" is more like it; he delivered his song in a flat, cheerless monotone, all the while maintaining his grim expression. Kit Kat managed to control her laughter out of politeness; it was disconcerting hearing the cheery lines, "Ang Pasko ay sumapit! Tayo ay magsiawit/ Ng magagandang himig..." in his unique style.
Oddly enough, though, he maintained his dignity throughout the entire business, Kit Kat says. Handing him the five buck "tip" was like handing a five hundred buck gratuity to a pianist at some five star hotel.
I have never believed that your social class dictates how you see yourself. This man may have been in rags, and he may have been starving, but I can picture him now...and I only wish I had the same dignity of self that he possessed.
Labels: crass commercialism, dignity, funny stories
