How to win friends...

Many of us remember the words of Marie-Antoinette: “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche”, translated: “Let them eat cake.” She didn’t win too many friends and her enemies took care of her later!

In an item on the social lives of Ottawan’s a write of a “social page” wrote :”Everyone who is anyone right now showed up to …” Wow,  I wonder how many friends she made or better yet, how many enemies she made. Imagine all the people who did not show up who might have read her social page. What would they think? Who is she to make such a statement?

Now, as a “common man” I must say that I have no interest in such gatherings. Let them eat their cake, drink their wine and hobnob. Some may need it; others are obliged to attend. Our city is filled with members of parliament, other politicians, senators and embassy personnel. They gather and participate in activities while living for short periods of time in our town.  The wealthy, the “upper class”, participate for longer periods of time continuing the never-ending social gatherings.

So we see a division, those who are “anyone right now” and all others. Yet among those who are not “anyone” are people of high quality and virtue, deserving of the highest praise for their existence, for their work and contributions to humanity. They could be labeled “common people” and I am one of those. This is said with a sense of pride and respect for all those who are not “anyone”.