Am I getting older? Of course.

Am I getting less tolerant? Yes.

What am I less tolerant of? Some things people do generally that make no real sense, and then others begin to follow, like a mindless herd, thus developing a trend or change in a general direction.

It’s Christmas Eve, so I am gonna keep this one light and lively because I think you already have a deep understanding of the frustrating socio-economic issues I believe need changing.

Today is not about that. But, instead, the beginning of what could be a discussion for your family get-togethers over the holiday season as maybe you have become less patient about these things too, especially when you see them trying to come out of your house or trying to creep in.

So here goes:

1) Sagging pants or jeans worn by boys and young men publicly exposing their briefs or underwear: This trend, made famous by US hip hop culture back in the early 1990s, is where pants and waistbands fall away below it to the point that when they walk, they must keep pulling them up.

What is the real purpose of them doing this? Sometimes, when I see some young men walking their pants are almost below their buttocks and their entire briefs are on display. Not only does this trend present itself as flagrantly untidy and often obscene to me, but I find it is an impractical and unproductive method of dress. If every two steps require you to drag up your pants, you must reconsider your fashion goals.

2) ‘Blouses’ that are worn as dresses by some young women. Let me clarify: I love a mini skirt and a haute mini dress. However, what I see some ladies parading now, especially when they come to dinner at some restaurants, is not that. I recently had to quietly tell a young lady who sat in front of me at a popular restaurant in Kingston that her hemline needed adjusting as her panty was exposed.

First, if a lady decides to put on a ‘dress’ that falls one inch under her derrière, she must ensure she has the confidence to carry it off by not fixing it every two minutes, looking down, or holding it in place. If self-conscious about that dress style, choose another one.

Second, when buying a dress to wear out to an event at which there is sitting involved, try it on, and then sit in it to see how and where it falls on the their body. If it rides above your bottom, leave it in the store.

3) Exposing everything: When I scroll through my Instagram feeds and look at popular party posts, or even when I go out, I often ask myself: “Why don’t some young women learn to leave things for others to imagine?”

There is a trend now where all the assets must be on display; the split is up to the crotch, while the cleavage is to the waist, or sometimes it is just nipple covers. Hey, if you got it, flaunt it, as they say. But remember there is a time and place, and there are dress code protocols, and what a lady wears to a popular all-inclusive Jamaican party may not be appropriate for somewhere else. Therefore, my intolerance is not about this fashion style by young women, but for many, their ignorance of the differences.

4) Bad manners: Is it only me, or have you noticed a trend of having bad manners; that is, it’s cool by some people not to say “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” when they walk into a place where others are? Or are they determined to be the loudest when ordering food and decide to ‘threaten’ others in their body language? When did common courtesy and decency become difficult in Jamaica?

Our youth and some adults should appreciate the difference between self-confidence and arrogance, and being assertive versus being rude to another human being. Please, and thank you, are still excellent habits needed for a successful road in life.

5) Toxic cyberbullying: I have a public social media profile. I often receive hundreds of comments under a captioned post I make. Invariably, some people, or many trolls, decide to get very personal in their commentary. Their responses often have nothing to do with what is being said in the post. They are deliberate and purposeful, making multiple toxic comments and answering others who may disagree. My age and experience can see their intent, and I don’t take them on. However, what happens to the young woman or man who can’t manage this criticism and may be afraid to block or delete it?

6) Being materialistic: Now it appears that, for some, once they get a little money in hand they must demonstrate that they can be in the latest designer wear. So they spend everything on a YSL handbag, for example, or some other designer to show they can ‘afford it’, or they put pressure on their loved ones to purchase these things. It is a trend I see our young people, especially young women, adopting, which is a recipe for disaster. Their conspicuous consumption lifestyle is a part of their social media posts.

Ladies and gentlemen, save and invest your money. Also, if you decide to invest in an expensive designer fashion item that requires your entire monthly salary, ensure it’s classy, elegant, and timeless; the designer has not ‘vomited’ all over it. In other words, there will come a time when the designer monograms or logos are no longer in style, and you will get stuck with the item. There is nothing wrong with wanting the best for ourselves and our loved ones, but we should not put ourselves or others in debt to have it.

7) The get rich quick or die trying mentality: When did the hard work become passé? There is no substitute for discipline or hard work in life.

The Jamaican saying, “If you want good yuh nose haffi run,” remains relevant. Be careful of people you see who seem to have it all, but you don’t know where they work, what they do, or how they got it. All that glitters is certainly not gold. So before you begin wondering why you are not where they might be, look behind the veil of their lives; how they come by their assets may surprise you.

I may sound like a prude or some old lady who can’t handle the times. But, alas, there are just some trends I’ll never get and, at this stage, I don’t want to.

Have a peaceful and merry Christmas tomorrow, everyone.