Like Monica Belucci’s character in Malena who, every time she walks down the street in that small Sicilian town, gets curious—and oftentimes, lascivious—stares from people all around, I felt unsettling looks thrown my way. I am not a sultry Italian beauty like Monica, but why those glances? Do I look that odd? Is it the way I walk? Or the way I dress? Or is it because I’m the new girl whom they see walking past them every day? Abashed by the attention and at a loss on how to respond, I walked on with a snooty air—which I hoped would make me invisible but did not. The glances persisted for years.
Having grown accustomed to their glances, I’ve slowly discarded my snobby ways. I have learned that, when smiled at, it’s easier to smile back than to maintain an inscrutable face; that it feels pretty good to be greeted with friendly faces as I walk by; that it’s simpler to say hi than to pretend that I did not hear anything; that it’s refreshing to chat with the man who sells newspapers, the officer who apprehends traffic violators or the lady who sells coconuts – who all gave me insights I couldn’t have thought of; that being snooty could get really tiring.
As I walk from home to work I now look forward to the friendly glances and hearty good morning greetings that I receive when I pass by. What used to be a source of discomfort and embarrassment now brings joy to my days.
6 comments:
Beautiful, Angeli.
nicely said...i agree.
kumusta naman si officer? nag-aabang pa din ba sya? :)
@jacqueline: i just saw him this lunch time. he is asking pa nga for my business card. hahaha
@agnes: thank you. :)
@kayni: even in college, i think i acted very snooty. hahaha
smile begets a smile. hehehe.
Snooty; the wasted years!
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