Control Anger, But Maybe Don’t Control The Angered

Have ever been angered in public?

Since it would most likely be my last December in Akwa Ibom State, Uyo, I jumped immediately after my friend suggested we go to Christmas Village.

With not much for an option, I opted to wear a black tracksuit, comb out my 4c hair and pack it in a fro, adorn myself with a silver circle earring and a gold chain necklace. I wanted to feel free, and the only footwear I brought along with me was a flat slipper, heel, sandal, and a snicker, so I opted for the flat slipper.

We got to Christmas Village, after much debating on which route to use as we both had forgotten, and took a brief tour of the place.

From the three times I've visited Uyo's Christmas village, here's what I can tell you; every year, the decorations and setup are always better than the previous year's.

I supposed that's one reason people never get tired of going there.

Anyway, after our tour, and secret search of those who sold sunglasses but we couldn't find, we came to a stand where they sold assorted native dishes such as Amala, Ofada Rice, Isí Ewu, Afang soup and lots more.

I've never had Isí Ewu, so when my friend suggested we contributed to get a pot for 7k, though rigid at first, I agreed to it.

I wish the Isí Ewu was our focus today so I could rant about how terrible my first time was.

Anyway, as we dug into our pot of Isí Ewu, bitting hard to get the meat off the bones, we noticed a ruckus just behind where I sat.

Don't know what happened, wish I did, but the chaos was between a customer and a busboy.

I really wanted to know what was happening as the crowd seemed to be growing around them, but I dont understand Ibibio and my friend was not particularly interested in the event behind me as she was engaged in a conversation with a guy.

I gave up trying, but I noticed something.

It seemed to me that the customer was trying to lord over the busboy. That didn't sit right with me so I aired my thoughts out to my friend whose attention I now had.

My thought:

I don’t care whatever happened, I just feel like if you go out to a place such as this and engage in an argument or worse a fight with a worker there, it lowers your class or status.

My friend on the other hand had a different thought. Hers:

I don’t know oo, but I feel like you can’t tell me how to react when I’m angry.

Initially, I didn't see what she was saying. I'm quite used to her agreeing with what I say, so I thought that was her agreeing, until this morning when I sat to write this.

I see it now.

While it may not be a good image to be in an altercation with a worker in a public space, anger like pain has a different threshold for everyone, hence the follow up reaction will be different too.

While I’m not one to get triggered easily, and so will not or would hardly be seen arguing (I dare not fight, I’ll be beaten) with anybody, let alone a worker, in public, there are people who get easily triggered or are just very expressive about their feelings, and like my friend said, I can’t expect them to react like me and play it cool when their nerves are on fire.

But that brings the question:

• Is being expressive an excuse to argue or fight with public workers?
• Can't anger be tamed by everyone or do they decide just not to tame it with the excuse of "this is how I am"?
• Would you fight or argue with a public worker if triggered, or would you keep your cool?

Let me know your answers in the comments, and don't forget to clap and follow.

Also, I have a short story I think you’d like. I’ve made it available to you for free, but if you drop in a few coins when you click on the 'Pay Me' icon here, I’d be really grateful.

Thank you…till.next time.