Tamizh 3.0: 5 திரை மாந்தர்கள் – Paper People

For this weeks topic I see that most people have written about people in the film industry to justify திரை மாந்தர் (thirai mandhar – people from screen). However, in the explanation from Rathnaswami uncle it mentioned about ripping open the mask that some people cover themselves with. In other words, bring to light the true face of these திரை மாந்தர் by removing that facade. And this is my take on this topic – about the flaky people that live amongst us.

Here is a short skit on the superficial people with a mask that we come across on a day-to-day basis. I’m sure everyone has come across this kind of a situation in ones lifetime.

Scene 1
Conversation between myself, and an acquaintance, Sam
Sam: the new van that I have ordered is just amazing. You should drive it one day.
Me: Oh, that’s wonderful! Congratulations! How are things going on with you?
Sam: it’s great. Those guys at my work are a bunch of idiots. They just seem to lack everything. I’m having to be at the forefront and drive everything at work…….

Scene 2
During the break-time in a public event

Myself and a friend, Vicky are talking
Me: Vicky did you notice that this event actually started almost on time, unlike all our community events.
Vicky: Oh yes. And the break is also right in time for us to have some snacks and get the fuel in. How are you liking the program?
Me: it’s pretty good. I loved the way the instruments were handled for this song…

While we were in the middle of our conversation, Sam joins in
Sam: Hi Vicky! How are you?
Vicky: I’m good. How are you?
Sam: I actually wanted to talk to you about this product. Would you be able to buy it for me? I know you have some discount there, in that shop.
Vicky: sure. I can certainly help you with that.
Sam: oh. Ok. Thanks. See you.
Sam leaves without speaking a word to me, apologizing for the interrupting my conversation or even acknowledging my existence there, when it was Sam that interrupted my conversation with Vicky.

Scene 3
After the event, that night, I’m at home and browsing Facebook. A message in messenger pops up from Sam.
Sam: Hi there! How are you?
Me: I’m fine
Sam: I couldn’t meet you at all today
Me: (thinking to myself, but I was right there when you got your stuff done with Vicky) Ah ha..
Sam: You said someone was coming from India through them, can you get me this thing…
Me: Let me see what I can do and get back to you
Sam: okay bye.

Conclusion
I am sure you all have come across these opportunistic, pretentious people. These are the fake, paper people that live amongst us and we have to unfortunately navigate through them. The best we can do is identity them, avoid and move on.

Here is a poem that I had written recently, on these phony people for whom I coined the term ‘paper people’. Enjoy Paper People.

Paper People!
Smiles from lips and words from mouth,
All too flaky, for nothing’s from the heart;
The alluring exterior, all too pompous
For into that society, we have now grown!

Eyes, to see what it wants to see and when;
Boneless tongue to lash the wrath on;
Less fortunate, to be shunned and ridiculed
Even the poor kids not spared, what a misfortune!

I, Me, Myself are the only key essentials
What other feel, never in the reckoning;
It doesn’t matter, as I am not the one, hurt
This is the reality, the absolute truth!

These empty souls with fake smiles, bogus words
For nothings genuine and nothings real in them
Ready to engulf; into an abysmal nothingness
With no real existence, these Paper People!

However, all’s not lost, in this wretched world.
There still are those with compassion, a helping hand,
Offering to help all those people in need, with
No expectations of return, financial or otherwise!

Treating humans first as humans, all with love,
Respect and smile, is always in abundance;
With no barriers – clothes they wear or their
Jewelry and cars; their position, nor possession!

Materials can be gone in a fleeting moment,
For we cometh with nothing and take nothing
Into our graves – and between these Nothingness
We fill with chattels, and claim it all ours’!

The good Samaritans, will continue with good deeds
With no care of barriers; my hopes and prayers for these
Rare breed to spread and grow; fill in for eternity; raising
Humans with humanity, weaving through the Paper People!

http://subbugee.com/paper-people/