This was the most unkindest cut of all,

For when the noble Caesar saw him stab,

Ingratitude, more strong than traitor’s arms

Quite vanquished him,

Then burst his mighty heart.

— Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

Those were the words by Antony when he described the wound given to Caesar by his close friend Brutus. Remember the last words from Caesar, “Et tu, Brute?” You too Brutus? Yes siree, that was the most unkindest cut of all, and even though they say that the first cut is the deepest, that cut from a close friend is the worst of all. Unkindest…poetic licence by the Bard.

One night my better half and I went out for a late night treat at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel 24/7 all night restaurant. As I joined the line waiting to place the order, there were three “Jamerican” women right before me. You know Jamericans — Jamaicans who live in America but visit here from time to time.

Somehow many of them take on a different persona. Should I say, UnJamaican? Anyway, I cannot recall seeing more unsavoury, unbearable, uncouth women all dressed in finery in a long time. They spent almost half an hour placing their order, trying to make up their minds, shifting and changing with every word, much to the disgust and consternation of the other patrons.

They were oblivious of everyone else and most uncaring. Can I say it was the most uncaring cut of all? The sour, miserable look on their faces was such a repellent, and my initial thought was, “That’s why some women will never get a man as they’re absolutely unlovable.”

That prompted me to address the issue of the unlovable, as these women summed up so many other “uns” that I could think of. So here we go, right after these responses to what I had to say about ‘New beginnings’.

Dear Teerob,

This is regarding your article ‘New beginnings’, which I think is for me. I am never a person who follows new year’s resolutions, that’s why I think this is right up my street. Big up, Sir T, you are the boss, and that’s why I look forward to reading your articles every Sunday.

Eunice

Hi Tony,

It seems that as I grow older I naturally become more patient, more mellow, less angry, less stressful. I have not made a new year’s resolution in many years, so there are no new beginnings. I resolve, therefore, to make no new year’s resolutions. Happy New Year.

Brandon

Back to my story about the three women who selfishly held up the deli line as they quibbled and bickered over what to order, causing some patrons to leave in disgust. As I looked at one of them in particular, I immediately drew the conclusion that she had no man in her life as her countenance was so contorted, sour, and miserable that no man could ever tolerate her. She was one example of a woman who was unlovable.

Men are usually the ones who pursue women, they like what they see, and see what they like. But then they’re repelled by a personality that’s absolutely unlovable.

Some are also unlikable, with characteristics that only a mother could tolerate. Those women were as cantankerous as a wet puss that was flung into a barrel of cold water. They found fault with everything on the menu and gave the poor waitress hell. I’m sure that they exhibit those traits in other aspects of their lives and are as repellent as insecticide.

They literally are unlovable by men and are unlikable by any person with whom they cross paths. Maybe locked horns would be more applicable here. Women like those usually end up isolated and alone in their lives as they curse and create mayhem wherever they go.

Then there is the unprincipled, which applies both to men and women, but mostly to men, I would think. It seems as if principles, morals, integrity are attributes of the past, and people just do whatever they please with scant regard for anyone else. I mentioned women, but I really think that more men are unprincipled than women. It may not be so, but it certainly seems that way, for I have encountered more unprincipled men than I have women.

Being uncaring is perhaps the most hurtful characteristic to have, especially in relationships. Those who have suffered at the hands of an uncaring person can attest to that. This straddles both genders.

There are men who literally do not care if their spouse has any needs at all and live their lives without thought or care for their partner, never asking, “So how are you, how was your day, how are you feeling?” “Leroy, my head hurting me.”

“So what, take two aspirin and don’t bother me.”

Unkindness is a characteristic that not even animals can endure, and yet so many people display it. I’m referring to those in relationships. The most unkindest cut of all does not only exist in Shakespeare’s plays, but also in real life as well.

There are men who are so unkind to their wives, taking them for granted, treating them like dirt, shabbily, bordering on cruelty. But some people don’t even know what unkind is as, to them, it’s normal behaviour. The dictionary defines unkind as being “inconsiderate and harsh to others”.

Unkempt is usually reserved for men as Jamaican women do take care of their appearance and know how to put themselves together. Some do go overboard, but at least they try. In contrast, though, I often marvel at how unkempt some men are, especially when they go out in public with their women.

She is dressed smartly, well put together as she attends a function or just stepping out in public. Yet right beside her is her partner, unshaved, in a T-shirt, baggy shorts, and wearing flip flops. I often wonder what the woman thinks, or maybe she’s just used to it.

The irony is, it’s the woman who gets the blame for the man’s unkempt appearance.

“Imagine, look how his wife allow him to leave the house looking like that.”

But, then again, being unkempt goes hand in hand with being uncaring.

Being unrealistic is a characteristic that causes the breakdown of many relationships. He has champagne taste but beer money, and she wants him to be the man that he’s not. Both are unrealistic.

Unrepentant. That is the person who will do the most egregious act yet has no remorse or regret after doing so. Men will step out of the home, carry on multiple relationships, yet remain unrepentant for as long as they live.

“That’s the way I was when you met me, and that’s the way I always will be.”

I find that women are more repentant and will plead for forgiveness in order to salvage the relationship, which leads right into unforgiveness as many men exhibit that trait.

“After what you did with that man, I will never forgive you, never.”

Then there are people who possess unbridled passion. Unbridled means uncontrolled, unconstrained, and can bring great pleasure to those who are on the receiving end of it.

“The woman exhibited unbridled passion, giving the man unadulterated pleasure.”

Unadulterated… pure, not diluted, and no, it hasn’t got anything to do with adultery, or does it? Much unbridled passion comes from adultery I’m told.

Unmitigated is usually followed by the word gall, as in, “He had the unmitigated gall to show up at the office party with his mistress.” Unmitigated, absolute; gall, bold and impudent behaviour. Put them together and the point is forcefully driven home.

Unsullied is usually applied to women, for most men prefer a woman who is not spoiled or impure. I’ve addressed this before.

Now all this came about because I saw those three women from hell acting in a most boorish, unsophisticated, unmannerly, unsavoury manner.

Even now the countenance of the leader of the pack is etched in my mind, forever seared in my memory. The unpleasant scowl, the furrowed forehead, the clenched jaws, the snarl of her lips as she uncaringly stood there holding up the line for what seemed like eternity was unfathomable.

And that’s why some women will never get a man, as they are unlovable, undesirable, and unlikable. And I’m not being unkind either, as that would be uncharitable of me. Some are also unresponsive.

“I made romantic advances to my woman but she was unresponsive.”

There are people who, by their very countenance and crude behaviour, leave an unwanted unsavoury taste in your mouth. Let’s not forget unhappy, for I saw an article that purported that all women are basically unhappy. Maybe that explains their behaviour. I shall have to explore that.

More time.

seido1yard@gmail.com

Footnote: In this world that has become so intrinsically intertwined, when one country sneezes another catches cold. Everything is linked, including economies, social habits, and health. In 1921 the Spanish flu ravaged Europe, killing millions. It lasted a little over two years. COVID-19 has lasted longer and shows no sign of going away. It took a lull here but is increasing in other countries, notably China, which has opened its borders once again, allowing its people to travel the world. This is not good, and we pray that there is no resurgence here. We must be vigilant.