A “GOOD TIME.”

Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1927, Page 1

A “GOOD TIME.”

A MUCH MISUSED PHRASE. (By John Blunt in the ••London Daily Mail,”) j It appears that “crashers”—that is to say, uninvited guests of both sexes tire greatly on the increase this season in London and that hostesses are being compelled to take measures to prevent their hospitality from being abused. .Is this it sign that the young generating is becoming very brazen or very snobbish, or is it merely a sign that it is longing lor excitement and that the risk of detection is half the fun of going where you aren’t invited ? , I suppose tho truth is that there is something of all of these causes combined and that there is a certain type of modern young persons who are resolved fo have a “good ti;me” come what may. It results, of course, in their behaving vulgarly and in showing bad manners of an outrageous description, but I dare say they are too pleased with themselves to worry about such trifles. SIMPLY IGNOMINIOUS.

And that suggests that having a “good time” is often a very misleading phrase. If people so crave for novelty .and exeitdment that they arc even prepared to force themselves, under false pretences, upon strangers, and enjoy their hospitality unasked, they must be in a pretty a bad way. It seems to mo that their enjoyment is purchased at the cost of lies and deceit, and that, far from being smart, they are simply ignominious. It is, indeed, extraordinary how many people appear to think that the only way of having a “good lime” is by doing something hectic. It’s like the members of Stevenson’s “Suicide Club,” who derived a fearful thrill from drawing lots to jdecido which of them should bo the pext doomed to dea 111.

The fact is that numbers of people possess totally wrong values. They imagine that life is only worth living if lived in a certain sort of way, but as they know practically nothing about, life and have never given common sense a c-bance, their opinion is perfectly valueless. NEW SENSATIONS.

1 like an exciting time as much ns anybody, but the kind of spurious excitement which comes from doing something in bad taste is merely odious. If one enjoys that sort of thing one puts oneself on the level of those loutish youths who think that it is oxquisiteyl funny to torment a dog or a cut by tying a tin kettle to its tail and watching its antics.

People who do such things derive a stimulus from a base form of action and their idea of a “good time” is thoroughly despicable and brainless. And yet in one form or another 1 fear that there are plenty of such people. Ordinary pleasures pall upon them, because they have got into an unhealthy mental state and ne-.v sensations arc all they crave for. j