MANICHAEAN
10-23-2013, 03:29 AM
An Eccentric These Days.
What does it take to become regarded as an "eccentric" these days?
I suppose that in his time, Oscar Wilde was regarded so with his foppish dress and manners, whilst the likes of the recluse Howard Hughes growing his finger nails long and storing his bodily waste matter for posterity must also have been a strong contender.
But today the lines and distinction have become more blurred. Take fashion for example. Individuals with not so discreet body piercings, jeans deliberately cut at the knees, and what appears to be the de riguer tattoo on young girls spines just above the gluteus maximus. Nothing new there. In fact almost conventional.
But there still exists a bedrock of conservatism in most of the populace, so if one feels constricted by present day topics in conversation, (like who did what to whom on the latest tv soap) and instead diverges off at the dinner party gathering on Shelley or Byron, quoting bits from memory, are you likely to get some strange looks? You can just see the disquiet on their faces.
"Is he drunk, or more seriously is he dangerous?"
"Shall I call a taxi, or possibly the police if he turns violent?"
Actually in my own experience I find the converse is the case. If not a complete bore, one gets to become regarded as "a bit colourful" or even "the life of the party" and gets invited again.
So, next time you get called out to a little soiree dinner party with previously unmet neighbours, or strike up a conversation with a total stranger in a pub; soar off on bits of Kipling, remove your shoes and wiggle your toes at your host, flirt outrageously and talk dirty with old ladies, burp loudly after each course to show appreciation of the food you have been served, and insist on inviting all and sundry to pop in and see you if they happen to be in Papua New Guinea over the Christmas period.
You never know.
You might just make it a memorable encounter.
What does it take to become regarded as an "eccentric" these days?
I suppose that in his time, Oscar Wilde was regarded so with his foppish dress and manners, whilst the likes of the recluse Howard Hughes growing his finger nails long and storing his bodily waste matter for posterity must also have been a strong contender.
But today the lines and distinction have become more blurred. Take fashion for example. Individuals with not so discreet body piercings, jeans deliberately cut at the knees, and what appears to be the de riguer tattoo on young girls spines just above the gluteus maximus. Nothing new there. In fact almost conventional.
But there still exists a bedrock of conservatism in most of the populace, so if one feels constricted by present day topics in conversation, (like who did what to whom on the latest tv soap) and instead diverges off at the dinner party gathering on Shelley or Byron, quoting bits from memory, are you likely to get some strange looks? You can just see the disquiet on their faces.
"Is he drunk, or more seriously is he dangerous?"
"Shall I call a taxi, or possibly the police if he turns violent?"
Actually in my own experience I find the converse is the case. If not a complete bore, one gets to become regarded as "a bit colourful" or even "the life of the party" and gets invited again.
So, next time you get called out to a little soiree dinner party with previously unmet neighbours, or strike up a conversation with a total stranger in a pub; soar off on bits of Kipling, remove your shoes and wiggle your toes at your host, flirt outrageously and talk dirty with old ladies, burp loudly after each course to show appreciation of the food you have been served, and insist on inviting all and sundry to pop in and see you if they happen to be in Papua New Guinea over the Christmas period.
You never know.
You might just make it a memorable encounter.