There are boys on the bus. They are on the tram as well. Usually, they are
well behaved. Old enough not to be rude to us 'oldies'. Too young to be in
their rebellious mid-teens. They are polite. They let other passengers get on
the bus first and don't mind standing. They wear similar uniforms, and resemble
each other a lot. This is my second week of commute, so I have yet to
identify the subtle differences that these boys might have due to different
schools. Right now, the colour difference in their uniform is the only obvious
thing to me.
If you accidently make an eye contact, some smile. Some look away. They normally stay in groups. Acknowledging each other either openly or silently. I have yet to witness communication between different uniforms. There is a mutual acceptance of this indifference towards each other if you aren't wearing the same colours. Quite similar to the one we have for people in an elevator. I wonder if there is an unwritten rule about it. I wonder if there are a lot of unwritten rules about it that grownups don't know of.
I realize that I don't know much about young boys, or girls, for that matter. I can talk to them if need be but I would have no clue what's going on inside their minds. Minds full of potentials. Potential for greatness, kindness, nastiness. Some of these boys might be bullying others at their school. Picking on the vulnerable ones. Sucking of their happiness, making their daily life miserable. Some of these might be impressing their teachers and peers with their ingenuity, and intelligence, and/or hard work. Some of these might be making others smile by performing kind deeds.
If you observe for long, you might be able to tell the difference between the school fees of the different uniforms. I say this because I can feel the difference in their subtle body language. I wonder if this would impact who they become in the long run. The seeds are there. It depends on who nurtures them really.
When the boys get off, we have more room to breathe and commute gets silent again.
If you accidently make an eye contact, some smile. Some look away. They normally stay in groups. Acknowledging each other either openly or silently. I have yet to witness communication between different uniforms. There is a mutual acceptance of this indifference towards each other if you aren't wearing the same colours. Quite similar to the one we have for people in an elevator. I wonder if there is an unwritten rule about it. I wonder if there are a lot of unwritten rules about it that grownups don't know of.
I realize that I don't know much about young boys, or girls, for that matter. I can talk to them if need be but I would have no clue what's going on inside their minds. Minds full of potentials. Potential for greatness, kindness, nastiness. Some of these boys might be bullying others at their school. Picking on the vulnerable ones. Sucking of their happiness, making their daily life miserable. Some of these might be impressing their teachers and peers with their ingenuity, and intelligence, and/or hard work. Some of these might be making others smile by performing kind deeds.
If you observe for long, you might be able to tell the difference between the school fees of the different uniforms. I say this because I can feel the difference in their subtle body language. I wonder if this would impact who they become in the long run. The seeds are there. It depends on who nurtures them really.
When the boys get off, we have more room to breathe and commute gets silent again.
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