So far as good manners and etiquettes are concerned, they cannot be said to be a strong point of the people in this part of the world. If the French and the English snobbery can be overlooked, the two peoples on both sides of the Thames fiercely defend their social manners and etiquettes. Yet it must be admitted that those boasting blue blood inheriting from emperors, kings, earls, lords and at the least the bourgeoisie in the pre-Socialist Russia have taken such mannerism to its very limit. Mannerism as against courteous behaviour is what really marks the exchanges and relations in almost all high societies.
Actually the signs of nobility and aristocracy as defined by the so-called suave and refined culture were and still are quite apparent. Distinct from the toiling classes, the gentry would not miss any chance to impress upon the rough and rugged folks how superior they are. People who work in field, factories or elsewhere to eke out a living can hardly afford the luxury of packaging every movement of theirs in sweetness. Their expression is less eloquent but when it comes to act nobly many of them are not found wanting in their readiness.
Where expression of emotion becomes ritualistic, something surely is lacking. Affectation marking human behaviour is only special to the most rational animal, more particularly to people of high society. The fact that fathers and mothers in Bangalee society have turned into daddy, papa and mummy, mom is no surprise. It is not just incorporation of language but also of an aspect of culture. Of course, backing of wealth acts as a driving force. Wealth makes it possible to be educated in a foreign schooling stream -either at home or abroad.
When wealth gets accumulated in people's hands, they also look for different avenues to dispose of a part of it in enjoyment and entertainment. Celebration of local events does not quite satisfy their mood. All they do is to look for novelty at times to complete indifference to the celebrations of great socio-cultural events of local origin. The Valentine's Day, the Mother's Day, the Father's Day etc., have made quite an inroad into the mental make-up of the urbanite young people of this country.
Sure enough, no one can take exception to the idea of dedicating a day to the world's mothers or fathers, appreciating the mother- or father-child bond and honouring parenthood in general. Even in a society where expressing sincere love in public had until recently remained a taboo, celebration of the Valentine's Day is breaking the wall of inhibition.
Yet one cannot get over the feeling that all such celebrations are somewhat extraneous. One of Shakespear's finest heroines Cordelia could not bring it to her tongue in presence of the king's retinue, her and her sisters' suitors and others at that eccentric regal show how deeply she loved and cared for her father. The deepest feeling is not meant for any demonstration or exhibitionism.
However at times, emotional outbursts even in public reveal the gem of a heart. Z Bangla has come up with an innovative programme called the Happy Parents Day, depicting emotional attachment between parents and children. This reality show is so orchestrated that it leaves a lesson for children who do not care so much about the concerns their parents have for them. Programmes like this can help reevaluate their bonding with their parents. Its influence can be greater than the customary celebration of the Mother's or the Father's Day.
