We do not live in isolation

Society or community living demands consideration for others. This may come in form of sharing in cases where some have plenty than others. A good upbringing or kind heart always demands that we share. It would be heartless to discard food that is left over or plentiful when there are people a few blocks away starving. It is the natural rule.

Now, the same natural rule applies to every other scenario. Because our communities consist of people from different backgrounds and upbringing, we all ought to be mindful of how certain decisions are made. Certain things we assume to be acceptable may be offensive to some and for the purpose of harmony, we need to exercise caution.

Of course, if we were to mind what others perceived of us and our decisions, we may never get anywhere. After all, it is absurd to believe we can please everyone. Nonetheless, it is a fact that we cannot do certain things because of others. This comes into play, too when one is married, engaged, has children and because of extended families. Indeed, whatever each one of us does, it reflects positively or negatively on our families.

A child cannot join his father’s friends over a beer at home of elsewhere because once the fruits of the alcohol intake are realised, their actions may totally conflict. They may end up saying or doing irreversible things that will dilute the respect and boundaries of a father and child. Again, a man may not take his date alongside certain friends to protect his interest which he feels may come under compromise amid drunk friends.

A man may not answer a knock on his door wearing just his boxer shorts because that is not the presentations he wants the visitors to see or determine his character. In the same manner, he cannot roam the corridors of his home in the same regalia to avoid diluting his authority and respect. As a bachelor living alone, he may just do that.

Women, too, have to exercise caution in what they wear. Dressing explains the type of character one has and is always questionable if it’s not suitable for an occasion. It may also reveal one’s motive. A track suit, track pants, sweat shirt, T-shirt, cap and a rarely min-skirt or dress to work will raise eyebrows.

Decency at work, church, weddings and other occasions such as ones being graced by high profile people is a must. Some institutions will have rules towards dressing. And if anyone will justify their unfavoured dressing as a part of one’s upbringing or something they are comfortable in against societal requirements, that would be lame.

Imagine if each one of us woke up one morning and decided to do anything and everything each one of us was comfortable in. Imagine if we all woke up to display what we think are our assets or what our mirrors back home convinced us to do. What a chaotic world it would be.

Thank God for society and communities that act as gatekeepers to what would otherwise have been a hullabaloo. None can escape society and tradition.