Every year, in April, the Blogging A-Z Challenge kicks off with a bang and now in its seventh year running, it continues to garner even more participation than ever! Click here to read more on the challenge! And if you're participating too, do leave your blog site in the comments! I'd love to visit!
I saw him as the metro rolled to a stop. He had more greys in his hair now. Made him look more mature. So different than the boyish face that came rushing through the memories. As the car I was in drew closer to where he stood, I grew fidgety. Suddenly, I did not want to come face to face with this person, who now a stranger, had once been anything but. I wouldn't know what to say. There were no words left to bridge the distance. No reason to anymore. And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder how he was. If he was well.
I alighted as he entered and our eyes met briefly. I said what seemed to be the courteous thing to say.
“Hello,”
He looked at me nonchalantly, nodded and replied. “Adios.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was Paraguay, after all. Where ‘Adios’ was a standard response to Hellos on the street, a shutdown response from people who were too busy to care, stop and talk. I didn’t know what was worse. The fact that he didn’t recognize me, or that I couldn’t recognize my own self anymore.
Click here to access the complete works of the 2016 A-Z Blogging Challenge!
I would love to hear your views!
I saw him as the metro rolled to a stop. He had more greys in his hair now. Made him look more mature. So different than the boyish face that came rushing through the memories. As the car I was in drew closer to where he stood, I grew fidgety. Suddenly, I did not want to come face to face with this person, who now a stranger, had once been anything but. I wouldn't know what to say. There were no words left to bridge the distance. No reason to anymore. And yet, I couldn’t help but wonder how he was. If he was well.
I alighted as he entered and our eyes met briefly. I said what seemed to be the courteous thing to say.
“Hello,”
He looked at me nonchalantly, nodded and replied. “Adios.”
I shouldn’t have been surprised. This was Paraguay, after all. Where ‘Adios’ was a standard response to Hellos on the street, a shutdown response from people who were too busy to care, stop and talk. I didn’t know what was worse. The fact that he didn’t recognize me, or that I couldn’t recognize my own self anymore.
Click here to access the complete works of the 2016 A-Z Blogging Challenge!
What's considered rude for one might be perfectly normal for the other. Its a common practice to get an Adios in response to a Hello in Paraguay. It simply indicates that you're too busy to be bothered. http://www.10-facts-about.com/paraguay/id/901
I would love to hear your views!
I must say a Frank or blunt reply. On facts side it's crucial to know before visiting Paraguay. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, we as tourists need to really read up about local cultures and customs to know what's OK and what's not before we go visiting a new country!
DeleteIn today's world with people glued to their mobiles I doubt if the Hello would fall on their ears in the first place :)
ReplyDeleteTrue, that! But this one is a common practice it seems! Just feels sad.
DeleteThat's so rude and cold. I wish they'd change this....
ReplyDeleteI agree too, Shreya! But they'd argue perspectives!!
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