Social Class

My day started off by attending a talk with JD on autism. It’s an unfortunate psychological disorder that afflicts people whom I incidentally come across constantly in my field of work. The talk got me pondering a lot afterwards, especially on the specific tools and techniques to better communicate with them.

Then it was time for the BBQ. Ever since I graduated, it’s been two years since us schoolmates met. They used to be a bunch I’m closer with but last night’s interaction felt extremely remote and uncomfortable. The main theme of most dialogues circled around a societal standard – the 5 Cs.

Discussions included the specific stocks to buy, the type of property to own, the best jobs with the best paycheck and even the kinds of girlfriends to woo (among the guys of course), all of which I was barely participative. I was overtly busy with eating and covertly in distaste. Interestingly, a couple whom were getting married was not even in the conversation.

After a fair share of food and catching up, I was off heading to meet JD with a sigh of relief. Perhaps it’s in the chronological sequence of the day’s events – one material and the other immaterial, or perhaps it’s in my inadequacy to become absorbed in the unfortunate mundane of this malevolent fast-paced economy, I am not quite looking forward to their next gathering.