Today we had dinner with two friends visiting from Zimbabwe (who will return there this weekend), and two new friends who immigrated (two years ago) from Zimbabwe to Canada and now live in Morden. The dinner was at a friends house in the country.
We talked about politics and the living situation in Zimbabwe. Of course. We talked about different aid strategies and concluded that MCC's, while rare, was the most effective (both in terms of cost, and in terms of fostering positive ongoing change.
We also talked about living here as educated and skilled foreigners unable to get fulfilling work. They have no regrets about leaving, or about living here, but it's clear that there are disappointments. An experienced woman with a Masters Degree in education working as an Educational Assistant in a high school. An experienced and skilled cabinet-maker working on a shop floor for $12/hour. But these people are accustomed to less than ideal situations. They know how to be grateful, and content.
At a few points during the evening we, the Canadians, found ourselves talking about stuff, and what we were excited to do over the next few days. To put it plainly, our wealth showed. Though we may be, by some standards, reasonable and responsible "consumers," we are, compared to these people, spendthrifts. We buy because we want to, or because we get a deal, or because it helps us to feel better.
So what should we do about it? you might ask. We're born here, we're just doing our thing, we're doing no different than they (whoever they may be) would do if they were in our situation. That's a good question. And here's my answer: At least we might have the sense to notice, in the company of those who have, or can afford, less than we have, to not talk about what we have or what we're going to buy, or what lengths we've gone to "get a deal" on more of the stuff we already have. It's a small thing perhaps, but by managing our tongues we might just remind ourselves how much of our living (and happiness) involves spending money on ourselves, and the bonus would be that we would not run the risk of flaunting it in front of those who have less, or can afford less.
I don't know. I guess I think that it can't hurt to be more self-aware, and more aware of those around us. Lord save me from my own oblivion.
The ride in: 6'C Wind (none)
The ride home: 9'C Wind ESE 15 ks, rain
* In solidarity with a good friend who has posed a reasonable argument against the need for the word "pair" in describing scissors, or pants, I have omitted the usual "pair of" in my title. Anyone who can provide a reasonable explanation for continuing to use "pair of" to preface "scissors" or "pants," please let me know.
3 comments:
I have always been puzzled about pairs of pants and pairs of scissors - isn't a scissor a pair of knives? More, a symmetrically balanced set that act against each other - a pair, indeed, but once we have called them scissors, isn't insisting that the new thing is a pair kind of ridiculous? Sheepish? Embarrassed?
Pants; well there's nothing in the world quite like pants.
How about your bike? Is there anything in the world like your bike?
This is an excellent question, and one I hope to know the answer to soon. I have been receiving updates, but not the physical specimen, as yet. Some of that is my fault for agreeing to put a hub on the front wheel that will generate electricity to run a serious headlight. It's a Schmidt Dynohub (check them out at www.peterwhitecycles.com) - I guess I thought that if I have a kick-ass rear hub, why not have a kick-ass front hub?
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