The Devils Who Wear Bata!

By Ilica Malkanthi Karunaratne

If the headline confuses you somewhat, it is a reference to my friends and me, who are not obsessed with designer labels. We are quite happy wearing Bata or something else picked up anywhere if we fancy it. We wear what we like; if one has the right values and principles inbred from childhood, labels don’t really matter.

For those with more expensive tastes, there are several local designers like KirthiSri, Senaka de Silva, LoChin, Chrysanthi Fernandopulle, Yolande and so on. It is what one is that matters. Style is inborn and is shown by behaviour patterns, courtesy, respect for others and so on. A close friend, grand-daughter of a much respected patriot and freedom fighter, is so incensed at this obsession by some for labels; that she called her most recent acquisition, a kitten, Jimmy Choo, because of his frequent puddles. I followed suit and called a Dobermann cross Rottweiler puppy, a gift for my daughter, that I looked after for a few days, Prada. Another friend who feels the same way has called her pup, Gucci.

In a country like ours; where most people crippled by the high cost of living, cannot eat more than one square meal a day, it seems inappropriate and selfish for a few to indulge themselves in a heady merry go round of conspicuous consumption. People born to wealth, who are well bred rarely flaunt themselves or their possessions. I can think of many role models in this category, who lived simple lives; committed to reaching out to others, particularly to the disadvantaged among us.
Their entire lives were spent dedicating themselves to their innate responsibility to the less fortunate. My role model has always been the late Mrs. Elena Jayewardene, an heiress, born wealthy, but who was simple and dignified to her fingertips, never pushed herself forward, was always ready to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to weep on to anyone who needed it. She was an immense strength to her husband and he never failed to give her credit for it. She was a most exemplary First Lady and I treasure every minute that I was fortunate enough to spend with her. It was an education in itself. These are qualities which live on forever, even when one is no more. What will those obsessed by designer labels have left, if they cannot indulge in these luxuries anymore?

I talk to trishaw drivers, people I meet in the markets, on the street and there is no doubt that they are all feeling the pinch very badly. Some say they cannot afford to send their children to school as they cannot afford to buy school uniforms, shoes, books and so on. Some among the poorer classes bemoan the fact that their children are undernourished with the lack of nutrients so essential for growing children. They say they weep when their children say they are hungry and they have nothing to appease their hunger; or when they ask for things which are far beyond their means.

There is no doubt that the generation born at this time will be malnourished and undersized like in a previous era of controls and scarcities. Today the goods are available but at prices which are far beyond the reach of the lower and middle classes. Although much publicity is given about controlled prices for essentials; these are often in short supply or in substandard condition.

My friends and I are against controls of any kind; people must be free to say what they like, wear what they like, write what they like and do what they like. These are basic human rights applicable to us all. But it is unseemly, to say the least, to flaunt one’s possessions in a wave of cheap publicity. This constant keeping up with the Jones’s attitude is disgusting. One must have a better car, a better house and better possessions than the other in this get-rich-quick mentality with a desire to accumulate wealth.

A car to me is something to get from one place to another — certainly not a status symbol!

My friends and I don’t  buy designer jewellery; nor do we boast about our jewellery which is inherited; we don’t even know where it was made. These are not things we discuss, talk about, compare values or waste time on. Jewellery is a most beautiful form of art; but is in danger of being lost in a lot of flash and vulgarity.

Among those with a tendency for a flash and splash lifestyle, we have also noticed a breakdown of good manners in the way they speak to people. Being frank and forthright must be combined with tact not with any form of aggressive behaviour; there is no need to abuse anyone in filthy language just because they don’t give into one’s whims and fancies which are probably beyond the peripheries of their control. One must always say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’ for services rendered in any capacity or by anyone at all.
Why does one always have to sit in the front row and demand this privilege? Among my coterie of friends, we wouldn’t dream of demanding free flights, tickets for shows and so on. We have been brought up to pay our own way or not to go if we cannot afford to buy the ticket. If this kind of attitude by those on the fast track doesn’t change, we will be in for a bumpy ride and a rude shock in the not too distant future. Resentment and envy lie simmering beneath the surface like a slumbering volcano which can explode at any given moment.

Sometimes I wonder what has happened to the world I knew and loved as a child. It was a world of love and fidelity, of promises kept and commitment absolute. Perhaps the long war situation has destroyed ideals and integrity along with other values. There are things far more precious than possessions to treasure like wit, kindness, concern for others, all of which have lasting value. Some of those in the fast lane, tend to forget those who have helped them in one way or another on their climb. Appreciation and gratitude are a must for kindness or favours granted. It is not necessary to go on thanking those who help us, but we should refrain from attacking them as we would probably not be where we are if not for their help.
Another nasty habit is one of making a beeline for important people at events; attaching oneself to them till one more important comes along. If the unsuspecting victim is close to a VIP, one can be sure the next step by these social climbers from hell will be to press for an introduction to the VIP concerned. At a recent lecture by a visiting dignitary, people were appalled to see a woman stepping forward as the speaker was being escorted out and shake his hand, without an introduction, calling for a photographer. The organisers were besieged with protests the next day from the sponsors and the staff of the dignitary who were horrified at this breach of security and bad manners. Human beings seem to me to be walking conflicts; eternal battles on legs. If human beings were cars, we would return them for being faulty!
Showing off and drawing attention to oneself boil down to a major chip on the shoulder, caused by a deeply ingrained inferiority complex, more often than not, stemming from one’s beginnings. Dancing with a glass in the hand or on tables are all uncouth and undignified patterns of behaviour. These foibles can perhaps be excused in teenagers but certainly not in anyone over 30; these antics are hardly an example for the young and innocent who have to be protected at all costs.

The entire concept of life is exciting, innovative and challenging. The way we live it should always be an inspiration and example to our youth who are our wealth and our future. My father always instilled in us the need to live lives of simplicity, honour and integrity and never to do anything that would make our own children lose their respect for us.

‘Children begin by loving their parents. After a time they judge them. Rarely, if ever do they forgive them’ — Oscar Wilde

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Posted by admin on Mar 14 2010. Filed under Review. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry