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Dhaka Day by Day

Of Retirement and Idiosyncracies

Tasneem Mosaddeq
Retirement evokes mixed feelings. Some dread It, while other* look forward to it. Ncv-erthcless, if one is lucky enough to survive the turmoils of living upto the sixtieth birthday, the compulsory giving up of office and job come* as *hock, not altogether peasant. Especially, if the person happens to enjoy sound mind and body. Though, professionally they are considered aa unfit, yet they remain an intrinsic part of our family and social scene. Actively participating (asserting their opinion) in all matters. Children like their company as they willingly give in to all sorts of pranks. But stepping into adulthood we become, more and more aware of the Idiosyncracics that coinc nicely gift wrapped with retirement.
Retirement is not given much thought in our society. It happens to persons who by virtue of age and worldly experience are placed on a pinnacle with the epithet of "wise" at-
mtnutes interval and on waking up nonchalantly announces that evening is perhaps the best time to venture out.
Retirement is also a time for reminiscing.. In the twilight of Hfe it is natural to remember the past and amuse oneself. But trouble starts when he decides to entertain the family with a detailed account of his adventures. Not only that the bewildered family has to put up with memory lapses, as well. More often than not, events from distant past IS recounted while completely forgetting the name of the listener, even if he happens to be the son. Sometimes, temporary amnesia 1s feigned to conveniently forget the chore that is most disagreeable, like shopping for groceries. But when others pledge to do errands for him. his mejnory bank comes alive instantly, recalling without a moments hesitation that the son had promised to wash the car and the daughter was to Iron his best suit.
Conversation with retired people is mostly one sided. They have a tremendous faith in their oratory skills on any topic, contradictions and arguments arc nol welcomed. Therefore, tt is nol unusual for a retired engineer to give lengthy discourse on the nutritional value of apple and for an economist to com-
unci ui wise cii-tached to their being. And likewise they take full ad van tage of it. exercising their newly acquired wisdom in any manner. In western world discussions are held for people approaching retirement and their spouses. Advice is given on how to tackle the situation that may become depressive for certain people. But after closely associating with some retired relatives, I am confused whether to sympathise with them or pity their respective families.
Most people, wait for retirement to do the things that they always wanted to do but did not get time for it. Yet, once retired these hobbies and wished are easily forgotten for new and. more "challenging" pursuits. Those who are afraid of being branded as old and serilc, sometimes display their youth and vitality in a peculiar way. So, the usually strict and withdrawn, retired uncle may one fine morning shed his inhibitions and embark on a "getting young campaign." Donning flashy clothes and whistling the favourite tune he proceeds to get pally, pally with the younger generation. The poor young souls are so overwhelmed that they pour their hearts out romantic inclinations and all. TWo contradictory reactions then follow, he either clamps up and the culprits are properly reprimanded or he joins the party complicating relationships. Then there are those who spend their retired life making resolutions. This type may at bed time declare. he would take an early walk to assess the condition of the locality, after all as a senior citizen he has some responsibility to the community. Hence. Instructions, are given to the spouse to serve breakfast at the crack of dawn. But next day the conscientious personality, snores till noon, through three alarm clocks set at five
pare the works of Rembrandt and Micheland-gelo. Then there arc the athletic type who suddenly wake up to the need of keeping a healthy and active body, only after they retire. They enroll in aerobic classes and enthusiastically display their new found agility by performing such absurd feat as putting on socks while standing. Presenting a weird picture, with one leg up in the air, quivering with the strain of pulling the sock on. they frequently land on their backs, breaking limbs and dislocating joints. The reticent and sedate collect books all through their working life to pass the retired hours pleasantly. But retirement somehow turns them into extroverts and they are no longer content in reading by themselves. So. they move around the house reading loudly and no one, not even the family dog Is spared from lending an ear.
Retirement Is for leisure and undisturbed relaxation. But after years of plaining when retirement finally ensues ft ironically makes people hyper-active. And the empty hours arc energetically filled with erratic behaviour, whimsical activities and interfering in everything. And before long they are branded as eccentrics. But in sptte of their peculiarities they are like children craving for attention. And instead of avoiding them we should make allowances for their oddities, which results fro nW. having too much time and not enough to fill it up.