Sorry For Condescending....

I am sorry to be such a snob. This is my story.

I went to the Philippine Airline office this morning. I was happily surprised to see Mildred and Jalen

inside. They were already seated side by side at the counter doing their own traveling transactions. Cheerfully, I went to the counter and greeted them both. Jalen, at my approach, told me that she just came home from Manila. She showed me a picture of her grandchildren which was really nice. But she started bragging about how she always traveled with heavy luggage both going and coming home from Manila. According to her, she went to Manila bringing 60 kilos and came home with 65 kilos. Both Mildred and I laughed at her statement but I had to show my disdain. I said "Ganyan sila mag travel kagaya in Conchita (my sister-in-law). Parang na deprived nuong bata, kailangan napakarami ang dala." Which  means (Yeah, they travel with heavy baggage, just like my sister-in-law Conchita. Maybe they have some kind of a deprived childhood, that they have to bring so many many things.) My words were meant to hurt her and surely they did too. Obviously Jalen did not take my sneer lightly. She was feisty and wanted a counter bout. She said she had to bring a lot of things because she cooks at home, that I did not have to because I don't cook. 

"I do cook too." Was my calm answer. 

"I bring a lot of food to my children because I am a mother." She said.

"I bring food to Manila too, but not 65 kilos." Laughter ensued.

"I brought lechon because that is the favorite of my daughter-in-law."

"Hay naku, you think cotabato lechon is the best? Manila has the best lechon too. They prepare the best Cebu lechon in Manila. You haven't tried them yet?!Talong talo yon dito sa atin."

"I buy lomo etc etc to bring home to cotabato."

" I buy things and bring them home to cotabato too, but not 65 kilos, that's a lot."

"I buy etc etc...and I buy ngohiong too."

"I make my own ngohiong. Hahaha."

"I also buy wansuy."

"I bring wansuy home too (celantro), but not por kilo. That's a lot!" ........And so on and so forth.

What a laugh! She was really really mad. This was actually so very very petty. I was sorry for having  instigated the banter, but I was not backing out from what I had started.

My friend Jalen  does not like the word deprive but that's precisely what it is. When she goes to Manila, she needs to supply her children with food she and/or her children crave for. And on coming home, she must  buy lots and lots of things which are not available here to satisfy her needs. In many ways more people do the same, sometimes including myself. Hahaha. But what irritated me this morning was her boastfulness, her unbashful bragging about her capability to spend (which she usually do without my reacting). So this morning, I just suddenly snapped at her liked that. I am not usually this way though.
I do actually feel bad and sorry for being impudent.