Heat and the freaks

🎵🎵 It's the summer time where the weather is fine…and you can stretch right up and touch the sky..🎵🎵

Yup…its that time of the year again over here. The sun is blazing, the bees are buzzing, birds are cavorting, the trees are in full bloom, temperatures are heading north and yes… the freaks are out!!

I know it really shouldn't surprise me anymore but there’s just something about the summertime in the UK that brings out their carefree nature as well as all sorts of weird behaviour from people here. It’s almost as if the long, cold months (and they're quite cold and long here) can be likened to solitary confinement in a prison and the few brief months of summer signal sweet relief and escape from the doldrums of forced imprisonment.

Its not actually surprising. Human beings are, afterall, social creatures by nature, and there’s something about being cooped up in your houses during the cold season that really drives people nuts. Not as if they don't go out during that period, but the terrible weather is always at your back with a whip, lashing and urging you to get back home asap.

The lovely summer weather is the antidote for all that.

Maybe it’s just me being a Nigerian uncle, but what I see every day on the streets as I pop out to work and back never ceases to amaze me. I’ve been here for about two and a half years now, yet the freedom and unbothered nature of how people walk around in skimpy (being very charitable here) clothing and exposed body parts is still slightly jarring. Of course, being factual here, it's the female folk who are the culprits here.

Now, I’ve learnt to unlook a long time ago and just pass by on my merry way, but honestly, you can't walk about with eyes closed now, can ya? It’s gotten much worse as well, with more people demanding the right to do as they please. Hmmm… I obviously know this is as it should be. People should have the right to all the freedoms associated with civilized society….However, there’s also something about public decency that seriously needs to be reviewed.

Now, I’m certainly not a prude (Lmao) but like i said, it’s still jarring and just a bit too much. Given how the youngins are being influenced by everything they see, hear and watch online nowadays, it really should give us concern as a society.  Especially when it involves children, I really feel more people (parents especially) should be involved in providing guidance and direction and truthfully be a bit firmer on the discipline scale. (Oh God…now I really sound like an elderly Nigerian uncle..lol)

With the adults, however, there’s really nothing much you can do. They’re allowed to be as freaky as they choose. Just adopt the Buhari style and become a professional unlooker. 

Also, with the weather being so nice and everyone being outside, there are much higher chances of encountering people struggling with their mental health. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people like this over here.. For those of us who use public transport, it can be a bit challenging, especially when you’re forced to be in proximity with said individuals. This is certainly not to discriminate or anything but it’s just practical realities of living here (and of course, y’all know I’m nothing but a practical guy). While being sympathetic/ empathetic about their plight, you also need to be cautious about any interactions you have. A lot of them of course, are self-inflicted via terrible life choices but there are also a lot who haven’t chosen that path, hence the empathy and understanding whenever you can.

Anyway…like I said, It’s the summer time, the weather is delightfully warm, life is up and about, the majority of people are wearing clothes, the pubs are full, the parks are alive, Kids are playing outside (as they should be) and it’s a great time to be alive!

Enjoy while it lasts.