A Roomful of TBs

When we were younger, we used to call loud-mouths TBs.  In Tagalog, taga-bundok.  Translation: mountain people.  See, during the times of our forefathers, the only way for them to communicate with people who live far-far away (translation: kabilang ibayo) was either thru A) smoke signal; B) horn-blowing; or C) by emitting a loud warning cry ala-Tarzan.

Imagine the distance that separated these tribes from one another!  Of course, if I lived 7,000 miles away from my nearest neighbor, I would holler too.  But what I don't get is, why should someone shout when the person he or she is talking to is just an earshot away?  TB!

Also, another thing I don't get is the habit of name calling.  Or using codes in order to prevent the person you are talking about from knowing that you are actually talking about him or her.  How juvenile!  (Ay, baka hindi maintindihan ang meaning ng juvenile.  I'll use a smaller word--immature.  Or better yet, childish.)

If I were in 4th grade, i would probably be doing the same thing--you know, being boisterous, even crass, or giving nicknames to people my friends and I would be talking about.  But if you're 20-something, it could be rather unbecoming to be acting that way.  

Finesse--now, that's a word TBs may not have heard of their entire lives.  I pray that they go pick up a dictionary and learn what it means.  And learn how it is spelled.  And maybe use it in a sentence.  Hopefully, with much practice, they could even use it for everyday conversation.  Who knows?  

Good grief!  I'm such a sucker for miracles!