Weeds never die
With the national elections behind us, it’s time to look ahead to the formation of a new government. I know, I’m repeating myself a bit, but it’s necessary to talk about this. Because everything is political, and politics interferes with everything. So here it is!
Double
After the results, I was overcome with a mixed feeling. On the one hand: hope, because a (relatively) progressive party won the election. And on the other: despair. Because the far-right bloc in parliament has only grown stronger. What has become clear to me is that it’s bubbling in society, both above and below the surface.
I encounter this on a small scale in my own life. Besides wonderful moments of connection, I’m increasingly noticing how normal rudeness has become. On the train, people are shamelessly listening to music loudly in the quiet compartment (as if that’s normal in a regular compartment, but oh well…). And in the cinema, people chat loudly through a film, as if no one else is there.
Representative
I see this in my activities as an entrepreneur as well. For example, when giving training sessions. It’s perfectly fine if you arrive late; we’re all human. But arriving late loudly is a whole new experience for me. One person managed to give an excellent demonstration of the above. After arriving late, she started to elaborate on the reasons why she was late, to the details. While explaining her story, she felt she had some additional time to greet some of her acquaintances already present in the room. Only then to start rearranging the furniture, to make more room for herself.
This interesting demonstration of the current era quickly got old. I respectfully but firmly asked the person to please sit down so the training could continue.
For the cynic who now thinks, “Today’s youth have no manners anymore,” that doesn’t apply here. The degradation of etiquette is manifesting itself, at least in my life, across the entire spectrum of society.
Request
So, I have a request for my fellow citizens, that is both political as well as personal: please, stop shouting. Egoism is not a right. Be aware of the space you occupy. That’s better for you and better for society.
Perhaps it’s interesting that political parties D66 and CDA are taking the lead in the current coalition formation: an increased sense of collectiveness could be a potential outcome of the negotiations. One that would certainly make a positive impact on my life.
Solidarity, without the yoke of (religious) dogma: that is my new year’s wish all of us.
