Misunderstandings Between

Mischief-Makers In Your Household

Europeans in the tropics are frequent between planters, planters and business people, officials and non-officials; and so on.

In many cases, troubles accumulate because of natives—either those employed on plantations or domestics in private homes. It is as well for newcomers—and some older residents—to realise this and be prepared accordingly.

Like spoiled children, natives have a tendency to spread rumoms (often untrue or grossly exaggerated) and revel at the thought of being the instigators of misunderstanding between bosses. to spice an otherwise dull existence.

“Mary was seen talking to Joe . . .we must tell the husband. ...

Moses passed by Jim’s garden; he must have been up to no good, etc., etc.

Natives can’t keep secrets. They must tell, because it will start something interesting. The storyteller becomes the Centre of

Attraction, and covers up his inferiority—more especially when chatting to Mastas and Missuses — with imagination.

Boys, on their days off, will encounter a planter in town, and make it known to him: “Me wantem come work long you too much, but ship b’long ’nother Masta ee come and tallem me ee pay more better wages than you”.

Or, “. . . he tallem you no good . . and so on. Imagine the fury of the planter!

In a private home, Mary will say to her mistress: “Me look Missus X long store; she tallem me go work long ’em —place b’long ’em ee more good”. Again fury!

Mrs. Official is versus Mrs. Private- Citizen, after hearing: “Missus Y, ee got more plenti dress long you”.

Or hearing about what the children had to say against the children of the household.

In order to avoid unpleasant feelings all around, and at the same time maintain peace among coloured servants and labourers, we must always be on the alert, and prepare to lend only the “deaf ear”. Or use the diplomatic brush

off: “Tell me tomorrow”.-

J.R.