A few weeks ago I was getting off the plane to get into these shuttles that take us to the airport. I was in Barcelona. In front of me, there was a group of Portuguese, 6 (4 girls and 2 boys). For the pint, they should be 25 or even less. I’m pretty sure they were in the city only for the weekend.
At some point the conversation began:
Girl 1 – “You know A* (I guess she was a common friend of them who was not there) has a new boyfriend! This one is a fireman.”
Boy 1 – “Ohh man, she always dates weird guys. She has a problem! The last one was a security guy and now this one is a fireman.”
Girl 1 – “But what is the problem? Joana’s boyfriend (one of the girls from the group) is also a fireman! But now we all new to have a degree to be a normal person?…”
Everyone – “Do you have a boyfriend, Joana?” (all the friends looking at Joana)
Boy 1 – “Man, let’s change the subject.”
Joana’s face (the girl from the group who was dating a fireman) went blushed/ red – she was really embarrassed. I almost felt sorry for her because I’m aware that a simple comment like “get a normal guy” can hurt.
So I decided to write about it!
I think that Portugal, more than any country in Europe, is a country of Doctors. In Portugal, everyone is a doctor. For example, one thing that drives me crazy, seriously I do not understand, is the habit of calling doctors to lawyers, accountants…This presumption that has been created around the titles annoys me and saddens me. I feel more and more that we are doctors before being people. And how good is to be a doctor if we do not know how to treat other people?
At school, we learn Mathematics, Science and many other things… Which is Great! Seriously, all of this is crucial. But there are no classes how to treat and respect others. In the business world I have come across so many people who offend and hurt others for free. But what is the point of someone studying for 20 years if once he starts working he is a jerk for others? In Australia, being an electrician is fine. In fact, tradeis earn much more than any other office profession. In France, people ceased to be plumbers because it was seen “frowned upon”, it was a less good profession. Today, paying a plumber in Paris costs A LOT because they almost disappeared. All this to say what?
I’m the first judging (I am far away from being perfect on that)! I do believe education is crucial; I do believe going to school, doing university are very important for human beings… HOWEVER, this idea that only the ones who do university are intelligent has to change (must change).
And Joana, being a fireman is very commendable, I wish we had more brave and fearless guys like firemen are.
Another confession about things I see!
Beijinho,
Daniela