Etiquette Interruptus

February 2, 2010 by Taran Rampersad

I don't know exactly what it is about Trinbagonians and the concept of etiquette, but I've been dealt some interesting experiences from the deck of life recently - both happening while ordering food this week. Both happened in Gulf City's food court.

Scenario 1

A few days ago, I was about to order a gyro - I'd stood in line patiently, I'm at the regular cashier who pretty much knows my order by heart. A woman sticks some wares past me, peddling belts and other things at the cashier. The cashier looks at the wares as I look on, waiting to place my order. After carefully looking over the wares, the cashier decides she doesn't want anything being peddled and says.

I look at the woman hustling business at the cost of my hunger and ask, "Is it OK with you if I order now?"

"Yes, you can go ahead now."

'Boldfaced' immediately came to mind. Brazen. No sense of propriety. I shrugged her off, I'd made my point. The cashier made a funny face. I consciously decided not to ask her the same, made my order and left.

Scenario 2

Today, I dropped by Dominos and was in the process of ordering when a trio of young males - I disdain calling them men - were giving the cashier a hard time. One was standing behind me, trying to be cool by interrupting my order with double entendres where the first part were tastelessly silent.

I turned on him and braced him in front of his two friends, telling him that I was hungry and that if he didn't mind, I'd like to place my order without being interrupted. Basically, I was telling him in a humorous way to STFU - but he didn't get that. Instead, he decided to raise his voice to draw attention in an attempt to embarass me into silence.

Wrong person.

I stood my ground and laughed at him, "Look at you. Instead of talking to the woman, you're talking to me. You think you look smart?"

His two friends laughed, either at me or with me. However it worked out, I got some silence while my new playfriend decided to study the Dominos menu in silence.

Thoughts

There's only one reason why people get away with stuff like this: They're allowed to. They're unchallenged; no one stands up to them. In a time in Trinidad and Tobago where violent crime is at a high and apparently not yet at a crescendo, I know I'm rolling the dice with some of these people when I stand up to them. One day someone may just shoot me or stab me or whatever - but I won't live on my knees; I'd rather die on my feet. Maybe one day that will happen. And people will look the other way, probably saying that I shouldn't have stood up for myself or said anything. Cowards. They give these others the strength through the fear that pours out of their skin.

And honestly - if more people stood up for themselves, less people would take advantage of others. And if less people took advantage of others, you'd probably have a lot less crime.

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