A Case for reminders

 
Reminder means prompt, aide memoir or cue. The first and third words find use in stage drama or during shooting of movie scenes. The latest avatar ‘teleprompter’ makes viewers see ‘eye-to-eye’ with the anchor, though in reality it reminds the presenter to stay with the script. The ‘forget-me-not-list’ or a ‘to do list’ is a mini version of aide memoir with a difference; the list is short , temporary record.

It is funny when people react vehemently on being reminded of a pending chore or action but do not mind it if a ‘forget-me-not-list’ silently stares at them! It remains a mystery when the prompt on the computer screen fails to evoke any reaction in anybody of being reminded that some action is pending! Why? May be the reminder or prompt from a second or third party is seriously viewed an act of finding fault or pointing out at a deficiency, which the note stuck on the fridge or mirror is incapable of doing!

Only when the first person feels being subjected to wilful nagging with reminders, this reaction is justified. In rare cases, it might be the first person requesting to be reminded about the note on the fridge either to keep forgetfulness at bay or to avail the help of these eager service providers. Here the first person has managed to cover up a short coming, willing to put up with any excess dosage of prompting – a small premium for the assured services.

What makes the second or the third party to take the role of a ‘reminderer’?  Pick up your reasons from any one of the following:
It is about a task that is entrusted to the first person, by others. It is about a task that the first person shows reluctance to complete. It is a task about which the second or third party fears negative impact if not completed in time. The second or third party is incapable of driving themselves to end points and need proxies! The first person is a compulsive procrastinator! The second or third party top the list of most worried people.

The process of reminding depends on the nature of the second or third person –gentle, stirring and scorching. A reminderer who has seen ups and downs in the business values customers more than ‘credit’ uses gentle prods.  One with bursting enthusiasm stirs up reminders like a bartender.   If a martinet, the reminders get sizzling hot, leaving   the poor soul smouldering.

Thinking that it would serve me better, I had developed an ultra mutant combining all the three forms and called it ‘gerrsching’. Unfortunately, the mutant had a compulsive and a runaway mind! There was always a mix up; a sensitive person was provoked with scorching reminders, an insensitive one was pushed with stirring  reminders and a come-what-may type person was cajoled with gentle  reminders.

To be on the safer side, I had taken a “tag and umbrella” insurance, to shield me from the showers of angry words from persons who don’t like to be reminded but I end up doing the same anyways. The senior citizen’s slip of the tongue tag was useful in ducking under angry glares or in the worst case scenario, opening the umbrella of forgetfulness pretty convenient.

I became the epicenter for the tremors that shook the household. The ‘gerrsching’ reminders did not spare anyone, including the pet animals. This inclusive medication produced undesirable side effects - the recipients responded by exchanging scathing verbal attacks, withering glances or stony silence or willfully ignoring my helping prompts.

With all the bashings received for the thankless service extended, I thought it is time to hang-up my shoes and stop playing the game of reminding others. This turned out to be a short lived resolution. What if I could come up with agreeable explanations for all the forms of reminders, and then can I not rescind the decision to hang my brand new shoes?

I selected innocent phrases of inquiries such as ‘did you get it’, ‘how was your trip’, ‘had any difficulty’, ‘had your meal’ etc; which are nothing but reminders being mistakenly considered as kind enquiries’    Here is how I went about  arguing  my case of reminders.

 Did you get it, conveys a hidden reminder that something had to be obtained either voluntarily or after somebody’s intervention. In both the instants self or an external reminder was at play. Will this not qualify as circumstantial evidence?

How your trip was stands for a series of follow ups, bookings, cancellations and so on. Surely some of these activities would have been prompted by timely reminders from somebody. Though not proving it beyond doubt, has it not succeeded in sowing doubts, at least?

Had any difficulty, implies getting reminded of a past history in the process of enquiring about current status. Interested parties may make a note of the indirect evidence presented.

Had your meals is a pleasing invitation for a homely lunch or dinner, no doubt but it is not so plain; it has a hidden meaning. It reminds the guest about the missed grub! A confession from the guest is all that is needed to make a water tight case. A Perry Masonic conclusion would be: it is an open and shut case!