I once wrote to Ian Nelson the national marketing manager of 7UP Bottling Company Plc, as an undergraduate of the University of Ibadan. I needed scholarship at the time. He swiftly cabled a reply. Even though the company didn’t off er me a scholarship with reasons, I was and am still happy, that a representative found time to reply me. Ian Nelson is a non-national. Do Nigerians bother about negative letters? Do we take courtesy seriously? I secured an appointment with the head of a Chamber of Commerce recently. He asked the personal assistant to usher me in. I met him typing on his computer system. Surprisingly, he asked me without suspending his work to drone on as he was listening. How can anyone ever work and listen to a visitor at the same time?
I saw that executive in my mind’s eye as a disrespectful man. Even though one isn’t obligated to approve anything, people should master the art of impression management. He said we should plan a training programme. His thoughts were in synergy with mine. I phoned him later to say I would be in the public cafe. He asked me to give him one hour. I went to the cafe and waited for three hours.
He never bothered. He stood me up. One month later he called me to blast me out of the water for being childish. Even if he didn’t call me, I should call him or should have called him. Who should be angry? Me or this fellow? How he raved! Addressing me as a childish person for not calling him for a month because he didn’t get back to me? We behave like some gerontocrats and appropriate to ourselves unnecessary airs of importance. A person who stands you up should say sorry barring any untoward occurrence. Th ey should know the importance of value, culture, tradition. And of respect for people which isn’t negotiated, but is an entitlement. Simon Abah, Port Harcourt, Rivers Stat
