When In Rome, Live Like The Romans

Speaking of snail-mail, it is refreshing the kind of memories it brings back. Winding     the clock back a score, to the friends, family, acquaintance circle, I vividly recall, be it a hectic day or otherwise, time and/or space was never an issue; we made sure we made time to meet up with our dear ones. Regularly. The only thing ever contemplated upon was, "Your place or mine?" There was never a dearth of options, might I say.  Ironically, this being the age of cellular phones, communication  should ideally be faster and organized, yet somehow, it's just doesn't seem to be working out the way it should. 

On the flip-side, eons ago,  when communication was limited to the rotary dial telephones—the kind where you stick your finger in each dial and wait for it to rotate all the way and back into position—things almost always fell into place. 

Strange, it didn't seem all that bad then, considering there were not too many options. If one is fortunate, the recipient would pick up that phone, if not, you try again. Patience was abundant then, despite the limited options to fall back on. The call if not attended to, leaves us with the option of showing up at the doorstep of that ignorant piece-of-work and dragging him or her to where you want them to; serves them right for not picking up your call! Think about it, it was that simple; you could drop in anytime, and you wouldn't be flogged. Do that today, and you probably need to have a licence for paying thy friendly neighbor a visit! 

Today, showing up without prior notice at someone's place (close friends, relatives excluded) could be reason enough for having your butt-cheeks whacked black 'n' blue, and would probably land you at some godforsaken psych ward!


Makes one wonder what is it that has changed over the years? Is it technology or the lifestyle? My bet is on both: advanced technology, therefore the change in lifestyle—symbiotic relationship. Quicker, better, streamlined, but maybe a bit too mechanical. Most of us are dotty about sentiments, which clearly lacks in the tech network.


The most challenged, and probably those taking it rough and feel cornered are our not-so-savvy comrades who have trouble just logging on to the Internet. Even so, it takes them a while to find their way around; can't blame anyone just 'cause they aren't a techie. That's being uncouth and inconsiderate. And just 'cause simple means of communication appeals to a certain crowd, does not making them any less gifted. They are at par; maybe not as much with the tech arena, but means are met, and word gets through.


I rest my case on a thoughtful note:
Men have become the tools of their tools.-Henry David Thoreau-