The Cause of Regret
“Hello little girl. What’s your name?”, the kind old gentleman asked.
Replying, I muttered, in my local dialect, Twi, “Me nnti Borofo“, meaning, “I don’t understand English”.
“Hello little girl. What’s your name?”, he subsequently repeated patiently.
I, in turn, stamped my feet and burst out with exasperation, “Me se me nnti Borofo wonnti!”, meaning “I said I don’t understand English, can’t you hear!”.
The kind old gentleman then asked my mother what that meant and she explained it to him. She was highly apologetic for my rude behaviour. He was unquestionably amazed at my assertiveness at such a young age. He therefore insisted on taking a picture with me. Thus, my dear mother took this picture of us.
When I was older, she narrated the above experience, which I faintly recollect, to me. This took place in England in the United Kingdom in the late seventies.
Subsequent Trips and Sightseeing
Years after, I took the picture below during another trip to England. At this point, I thankfully understood English and was not prone to throwing such childish tantrums.
Subsequently, during further trips to London, I had the opportunity to see iconic landmarks and to visit places of interest. There was no melodrama during these trips.
Camden Lock on Regents Canal, London
Buckingham Palace
Tower of London
Aerial View of River Thames from the London Eye
The London Eye
Although I was excused for my childish behaviour, I regret being rude to that kind old gentleman many years ago. As a result, I would like to apologise to him for my irrational outburst.
Conclusion
To conclude, if I could write a note to my younger self, I would have these two pieces of advice:
- Strive to be polite in all circumstances!
- Don’t do anything that you will regret for decades!
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Interesting read, I’ve always wondered how it would be to take a vacation. Does one need a visa ?
I think they gave us a visa on arrival. A great place for a vacation. You should try it!
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Indeed, we are products of our past. However we must not be prisoners of the past. Positive living is turning your regrets into rewards for the future.
Yes, we should practise positive living. Thanks for your comments!
No regrets. As you richly noted – a child throwing tantrum. At that age wo tirim yɛ wo dɔkɔdɔkɔ tesɛ ɛwoɔ. That experience in the akan context is described as mpaninsɛm. Akɔdaa no yɛ mpaninsɛm. Not that they are rude. That is good for cognitive development and in building self confidence.
I now known when your lawyer lawyer started.
Hahaha. 😊 Thanks so much for your comments!
Nice and simple story. There were two options available but I believe your choice was the better one. A child who could not speak the English language could be intimidated and feel shy, but you did not. You were rather assertive, showed the better option of a strong personality. At that early age, you never meant to be rude, that is why you accepted to take a picture with him. You reacted to the subject matter of a language foreign to you, but you did not reject the person. Thanks for sharing madam
Thanks so much for your comments!
Lovely story.You were only being assertive. In our part of the world assertiveness is sometimes interpreted as rudeness.
Yes oh.
“Strive to be polite in all circumstances!” and “Don’t do anything that you will regret for decades!” By any standards, this advice is excellent and I’m moved.
Madam, at that young age, I believe you weren’t taken seriously. However, I’m humbled by your humility.
Thanks so much for your compliments!
I believe I missed the boat on this in Paris. Parisiennes were never easy to converse with when I spent a year there at the Sorbonne in my 20’s. I felt frustrated and in need of a strong cup of coffee and a best friend who spoke more fluently French.
I can imagine how you felt! Not understanding a language makes you feel left out and frustrated 🙃
If we could all wind back the clock of time! Great presentation
Yes, if only we could! Thanks for the compliment.
Interesting reading. Heidi, I don’t think that you were rude. In my opinion, you assertively drew the old man’s attention that you don’t understand English. Absolutely, he understood what was going on. Nothing to be apologetic about.
I really like the beautiful London scenes.
Thanks so much for your comments! 😊
It’s a charming story and lovely memories. You were so young, nothing much to regret in my book but I guess sensitive souls (of which I am one) do look back on certain situations and wish they’d played out differently. I have a few outbursts of my own where much unkinder things were said. You live and you learn.
Yes we do live and learn. Thanks for your comments! 😊
I would want to agree with others to say that you were not rude to him at allllll. Given the envirinment/setting you had found yourself in, the way you reacted was the only option you had, especially so when you had politely muttered to him ‘me nti brofo’
I guess that gentle ‘admonishment’ was not enough to ward him off until he got something firmer:and that was what you gave to him and the message sank in immediately. Of course, he understood you and his way for making amends for his ‘intrusive’ behaviour was to, with your mum’s permission (may her gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace), take a picture with you.
That was his way of apologizing and that was the right thing to do
Thanks for the support! Glad to hear it wasn’t as bad as I thought given the circumstances 😀
Was a lovely read…
Just reminds me of my childhood outburst against my mum when I was a child. As an adult i feel bad when i remember it. Adulthood is not easy but children won’t know until they become adults.
Sorry old girl….
Yes we do regret these childhood outbursts. Thanks for your support and compliment 😊