Jokey

There is a commonly used word here on St. Maarten that, when used, aptly describes a funny but ironical situation in just one five-letter word: “jokey”.

We had a ‘jokey’ situation yesterday that promptly forced both Telem and UTS to issue public statements denying any culpability in this jokey situation.

We know of one well-known politician on St. Maarten who, after elections, in order to avoid being engaged in conversations with people on the street, often acts like he is on the phone talking. In this situation the phone is used as a tool to avoid contact.

Now it is election time, the phone is used as a tool to reach out to people. We assume no one in that campaign team expected the resulting public outrage. On social media, words like “telephone terror”, “telemarketing harassment”, “invasion of privacy” and even “theft” were used.

But dial this alternative situation in for good measure…. What if this telemarketing campaign had taken place outside of election time? Imagine how pleasantly surprised you would be that you got a phone call from the President of Parliament wishing you a nice day and that she hopes you visit Parliament during one of the many meetings that are being held weekly doing the people’s business and that when you do, don’t hesitate to come up to her and say hello.

Imagine that situation. We bet you would be saying ” Eh, eh, I ain know Sarah had my number? Wow! I gone pass in by her next week to say hello.”

Jokey, right?