bar·ba·rism (bär b-r z m) n. 1. An act, trait, or custom characterized by ignorance or crudity. 2. a. The use of words, forms, or expressions considered incorrect … We need add no more….
Being of similar mind and custom the act had passed me by unnoticed until the hostess cried foul and accused the host of nothing short of barbarism for his dinner table display. I have seen in my life during times long past acts of true barbarism and so would be dain to lump this singular act as one of the most horrific…but that’s me . Like many true barbaric things that happen in this world it was naught but a smokescreen to hide what was truly going on.
Host had blithely reached across the table to snag a sweet potato and bare handedly snap it in half in order to leave half on the serving plate and before the other half reached the dinner plate the berating had started. That’s what barbarians must live with I thought as I sat there envying host….after all, I’d be copping the hard word in two languages had I performed a similar act….I figured he got off lighter than might I over a similar transgression .
Across from me at the table sat another guest whom I envied even more than host as he sat paying no heed to all that occurred around him. Curly of Three Stooges fame would have asked….
“Are you married or happy?”
And it was obvious he was happy as he had perfected social barbarism to a fine and well practiced art. He simply squeezed the contents of his sweet potato skin onto his plate like the last dregs of the tooth paste tube and not a word spoken of it…
Butch….you do have it truly going on.
