I’ve this sort of call it principle or whatever. There are people with whom I’ll never, ever talk politics or anything that sounds like politics, like You know forget all these things about nice little talk between people, though not politically that well groomed still respect each other’s opinions on issues. That’s maybe something for the future.
A few days back I broke my own rule and indulged in political talk with someone I thought has ‘ripened enough’ and could be relied upon as a good small talk partner! I was to find out in the next few minutes. His first question was, “For whom are you going to vote?” Now to my confession; I hated the guy right there! What kind of stupid, heartless question is that!
“Don’t you think that is a very personal question?” I was trrying to wriggle my way out of some straightjacket thing which if, I was not smart enough would land me in bar with a full bottle of dry gin! (Nothing like dry gin to scare away the demons! Ha!)
“Are you afraid to say for whom you’re to vote?” Did he say ‘afraid?’ I’m going to let that pass. “I can tell you for whom I’ll be voting.” My speed should have surprised even me had it not been for him numbing all my ‘action’ cells;
“Don’t! I don’t want to hear about it. Keep it to yourself.”
He then eyed me like a wife up half the night waiting for her hubby to come home trying to single out a strand of hair longer than the others on her tipsy husband’s collar! (Somebody should tell her not only times, but strategies dealing with the hard evidence strands of hair too have changed. (Remember the wife who, failing to find any strand of hair on her drunken husband’s shirt shouted, “Now, you have started fooling with bald women!” I like her; I mean it; you have to give the thumbs up to a lady that is so investigative-minded!)
“Have you registered to vote?”
What’s the matter with him! What’s he trying to do? You know, the suspicious genes come calling. Or is it a deliberate attempt to say something and provide him his next post!
“That too is very personal question.”
“Why should it be? Either you’ve either registered or not. I don’t see anything secret about that.”
Time for an eye for an eye!
“Did you and your wife had a good night last night?” Imagine what would have happened if I’d said that. The punch might have smoothened you scrappy chin! Even with the mask on!
“Look, that’s for each person to decide. If you something to keep to yourself there’s nothing wrong. I’m not saying it’s a secret. But it is one of the things I want to keep for myself.”
“You know what I think?”
“No, what?”
“I think you never registered.”
This guy is sent by someone with some ‘mission impossible!’ I’m definite about it. Did you say, who sent him? How the hell could I know! But I defend my right to put into action those genes of paranoia as ninety percent of the population seems to be doing!
After that, he talked, I listened. We finally took position of the places we should have been in the first place! Since we are at it, did you register? I..I mean for the next round of condominium lottery! ….
The tea is on me!
The Ethiopian Herald May 23/2021