BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – REMEMBER when – as a child – your source of fun was ‘running tyre’ through the village or playing hopscotch? Or do you remember the days when you dare not pass your neighbour on the street because of the ‘licks you would have received?
Times have changed dramatically and several of these and other activities that we once held as popular pastimes or presumably life-long traditions have left us and been replaced with new ones.
This article – possibly one of several – aims at highlighting those former traditions and activities upon which persons reminisce and the newer happenings they have replaced.
Earlier today (Nov. 1), SKNVibes took to the streets of Basseterre to enquire of persons their ‘I remember when’ thoughts.
Kenneth ‘Bob’ Adams – a taxi operator by profession – said his ponderings focus on the taxi trade of the 80s as it compares to today’s.
“During the 80s, the taxi business was such that taxi men were more relaxed doing their job. When the Cunnard docked at the Deep Water Port, it was just that one vessel and taxis were able to move morning and afternoon. Everyone was able to get jobs. But now it far different. Yes, tourism has increased in St. Kitts but so has the number of taxi operators. So it is more of a struggle for taxi operators to get jobs. Now, there are too many taxi operators.”
A young lady – who indicated that she hails from Nevis – said she misses the days when parents took the time to instil the importance of proper etiquette in their children.
“Manners are not being taught by parents to their children as the older generation did. Before, you could not pass people on the street because that was more than frowned upon. And now young people, and even the older ones, pass people on the street as if they don’t even exist. Also, there is not much compassion as there was in the past. People would see a less-fortunate individual and scorn them, forgetting that they are human beings too.”
Relatedly, a teacher – who has been in that profession for more than 15 years – said she remembers the days when students were respectful, focussed on their education and obedient.
“There is less respect now for authority and the children almost appear not to know right from wrong. The children now are a totally different kettle of fish to those of years ago. I realise also that the female students of present day are very aggressive sexually. They know what they want and they go after it. It was not like this years ago!”
A young man – who identified himself as ‘Dougie’ – was quite expressive.
He said: “I remember under the PAM, we had ah’ lot ah’ money! Now we dead brokes and bawling under Labour. We catching hell under Labour!”
A 25-year-old mother told SKNVibes that she remembers the days when – while she was attending school, her text books did not cost more than $50 each. But now she has difficulty fathoming why text books for a child who is just entering primary school would amount to more than $200.
It is said that music soothes the savage beast, and while this young lady professes her love for the artform, she said the messages that are being promoted in some of the more recent songs are loose, vulgar and negative.
“I remember when music had substance. Now the songs which people bring out are vulgar and they just don’t have many positive messages. I miss days when most of the songs we would hear would have some sort of positive message or something uplifting. These days, all you hear is about ‘wukup’ here and there and all manner of things…”
SKNVibes would like to hear from you the readers – your ‘I remember when…’ thoughts; those fond memories you had as a child that the changing times would not allow you to repeat.
