Recently on an evening after dinner we walked outside because it was cooler outside than inside. It was already for days a sultry summer, more of a scorching heat that remains hanging in the house especially when there is no wind blowing.
The walk at around half past seven was therefore wonderful to do and brought the necessary refreshment. The football (soccer) World Cup had not yet started as that was meant for only several weeks later. A good reason thus to walk for more than an hour or two outside or to sit on one of the many benches or just in the grass.
We were amazed that during these walks we hardly encounter other people. Even if we walk along the flats or houses with a large balcony, only a few of the habitants are on the balcony or in their garden. The open windows show they are at home. Even the many parked cars in the street show that the people are back home again.
One of the people who were outside was a woman with her daughter and a friend of them. It was shown that they were not very well off. They probably lived therefore in a smaller house.
Yet these three men enjoyed their evening picnic in the grass. It was then that we greeted them. They were enjoying their time there in the grass. They were alive living.
Yet they could not escape the compassionate gaze of other people. The facial expression of several people passing them spoke volumes. What are these poor people doing? Who would sit on the grass? Eating has to be done at a table. You definitely have to sit on a chair and not on the ground.
These rueful glances of these passing people made us to rethink about the fact that we saw so few people outside. It is great weather to play badminton, table tennis on one of the ping-pong tables that the municipality has placed. To play football or volleyball, walk fish or just sit on a bench or in the grass.
With only a few exceptions, however, you do not see people outside. In ancient times, many persons were to find outside on such summer evenings. They had a nice chat with the neighbors, were eating outside on the balcony or their garden or developed sportsmanship. Today it seems like everyone sits down in their house and stays there.
Following on their work in a hot office at such a hot summer day these people puffing home in a hot train or a hot car. Only a few use the bike to go to work as its gives some relieve and coolness. Once home, they keep acting according strict rules. First they eat and next they watch television, and then go to bed and tomorrow they hope to rise healthy once more.
The latter is the question if they suffer such a programmed life (sorry live). A life filled with projections about the behavior of others and full of limitations for their own lives. Everything must take place according the same settled values. Even if the weather is very hot. Performing for once some deviant behavior and adjust to the energy of that day seems not possible. They live monotonous and like a monomaniac and do not consider what they are doing.
It seems that many people are afraid to show different behavior on a hot summer day and adapt to circumstances.