‘Social’ Intelligence: Should Old Acquaintance Be Forgot?

Prior to starting to read on, I’d like to implore you to have a listen of the above song as it gives today’s topic a very distinct flavour, instilling it with memories that you might have long forgotten because of your busy- body existence.

I first listened to the song when I was about ten years old; in fact, it was one of the first songs that I had learned to sing in English. Back then, of course, the lyrics did not mean anything to me- they were just words which fit the melody quite well (also, as you might imagine, at the age of ten, I did not have that many ‘old acquaintances’ as such...).

As years have gone by, however, I tend to go back to that song every now and then and listen to the lyrics, in quiet contemplation.

It has nothing to do with artificial sentimentality or temporary sadness; in fourteen years, that song has accumulated in it a vast array of memories which, to this day, I can still link to various faces and places.

The lyrics quite often remind me of how stubborn and childish I had once been; of how I had forsaken friendships, that I had worked very hard to create and bolster, because of a mere scuffle or misunderstanding.

It reminds me of all those friends that I used to play with, study with, fight with and fight for.

And then I suddenly want to forget all of the stupid reasons for losing touch with those people.

But I can’t; several excuses come to mind:

·         We went our different way after primary school.

·         He’s no longer the same; he’s changed a lot.

·         I heard he said something about me behind by back.

·         We live in different countries now.

·         Everyone’s got their own lives now; we can’t call each other every day.

·         I just haven’t had the time to do it.

·         He’s not called me in ages; why should I call him?

The mere thought pains me to an unbearable extent; none of the above seem reasonable or logical...

It sounds absurd to say that you haven’t had the time to call one of your best friends because you have had a lot on your mind lately.

If you go back and think of everything that you have been through together and everything that you have done for each other, would it not make sense to call your friend up, albeit for five- ten minutes, to see how he is?

Maybe he, too, has a lot on his mind. In fact, maybe that’s why he’s not called you in ages; he might need help, he might even be in danger.

Even if he’s not on Skype or Facebook, are all those years of friendship not worth a £ 5 phone- call...?

Believe me, I am quite aware that the more you think about it, the more horrible you feel.

Mainly because we all know that I’m right; we all assume that our friends will be there for us when we call them, even if we haven’t spoken to them in ages.

But why would we possibly assume that...? What if we hadn’t been there for them when they needed us most? What if we had not called them in months or years just to get back to them for not calling us themselves?

People forgive; alas, they also tend to forget.

Forgetting about our friends and what they have done for us tends to happen quite often mainly because we take it for granted.

But, pray, keep in mind that forgetfulness works both ways.

...you don’t want to be forgotten, do you...?