My 10 year old and I had a conversation at the weekend about naked dancing.
The comedy improv class he goes to is moving venue. I am relieved, because parking outside the current one is a complete bitch. He is relieved he says, because 'there are inappropriate billboards outside class, and hopefully there's won't be outside the new venue."
Whilst driving, I am racking my brains as to what these "inappropriate billboards' can be.
"What do you mean honey?" I ask.
"Like that one!" he points, "That one there. Full nude dancing. Why do people do that?"
He waits for an answer. My Saturday afternoon is taking a turn for the worse.
"Well, sometimes people like to feel powerful and seeing strangers dancing with no clothes on sometimes makes some people feel powerful."
"That's just dumb."
"Well..."
"And why would people do that? Why would someone dance naked?"
"Because they need the money. Because they might think that's the only option open to them....
I try to move this cunningly on to, 'that's why it's a good idea to work hard for your CST's conversation' but he's persistant.
"But do they enjoy it? The people dancing naked. "
Inside my head I've decided that until the class moves venue, his dad is going to be picking him up.
"I dunno honey. I've never danced naked. I'm guessing they don't really think about it that much. I'm guessing they do what they do because they think it's the right thing to do for them and... You know what pal, there are things in the world I can't really explain. Sometimes it's good to consider why someone who isn't you, might do something you wouldn't do. Because, when you understand the "why" then a lot of the time, you can let it go."
"Well I think that's just wrong."
"OK"
He is silent for a moment and I am hopeful the conversation is resolved.
"I am never dancing naked"
"Good. Good for you. I'm glad to hear it"
"And I'm never going to be a gentleman if you have to watch someone dancing naked to join a club"
"That's OK too."
Yesterday he came home from school. He'd been watching about the events in Boston on his phone.
"This is one of those things you can't explain right?"
"Right"
"Well, I want you to know, I'm not ever going to try to understand the "why". OK?"
"Totally son. Totally. Me neither"
Touching moment with the kid. Seems like a wise one, that boy.
ReplyDeleteThat was both adorable and heartbreaking. That's going to be a decent man when he grows up.
ReplyDeleteBehind most decent men are good mothers bringing them up that young fellow will be a gentleman, clubs be damned. You have every right to be proud.
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