The term “pig-headed” has been used more than often among my friends these days, perhaps because it’s Christmas and hams abound in every nook and hamlet. But isn’t it interesting that we human beings can be real pig-headed when we ready, especially when it comes to bad habits? Firstly though, why is it “pig”-headed? Why not “mule”-headed or “goat”-headed’? The poor pigs! They get a bad rap for no reason at all.
Think about it. We say, “chauvinist pig” not “chauvinist cat”. Why? The alliteration is better with the cat, anyway; plus cats are more prone to chauvinism than pigs. I live near to some pigs and they can be quite amiable, while the stray cat would beg me for food and then threaten to bite. How many of us have heard, “fat or greedy pig”? Truth is, pigs are generally thick; they’re not necessarily gluttonous.
Pig-headedness is used to describe headstrong people, or those who simply won’t be convinced. But did you know that pigs are really humble, smart and can even be trained? I saw a documentary with a pig rolling over on command and even playing dead for its owner. Mini-pigs are a hit in some countries, as they make perfect pets, being anything but pig-headed, in the human sense.
Pigs can be so charming, a Trini living in Queens, New York, calls hers “Romeo”. Romeo is 400 pounds, house-trained and loves going for long walks in the summer. Romeo could put some fellas to shame, as he even wipes his feet upon entering the house!
But I digress. I was talking about being stubborn when it comes to bad habits. We could be really irrational when trying to rationalise habits. For example, my friend Amanda knows that smoking blackens up the inside. She’s even cut open people and seen the difference between a smoker and a non-smoker. (Don’t get frighten, Amanda is a pathologist) Yet still, she likes to go out frequently to “take a puff to de-stress”.
Then there is overspending. This is a dangerous habit, especially during the holidays. Come January, you see sullen faces, with empty pockets. But hear an acquaintance of mine: “Is for the chirren, because I never had a Christmas like this when I was small.” It doesn’t matter that her twins are only 18 months and can’t even remember that they threw up after dinner last night; she absolutely has to get them the tree, new clothes, new toys and a new iPhone to take the photos!
As a late professor of mine used to say, “You can rationalise anything under the sun.” Whether you can justify it is another issue. We’re pig-headed when we want to defend what we do; and so irrational rationalisations abound. But, promise me this: try to be less pig-headed when it comes to pigs, please. They don’t deserve the flack. Honestly, I feel strongly about the topic and I could write more, but I don’t want to hog all your time!
Veoma Ali is an author, actor, broadcaster, advertising exec, and most important, a karaoke lover.
