THIS WEEK’S trending topic on local social media platforms would most definitely have to be Tino Best and his declaration that he has slept with over 500 women in his 34 years, on this earth.
I had the opportunity to pre-read the book last year so I was very acquainted with the chapter entitled “The Playboy”. I also have numerous debates with Tino about the role of women in this era and the expectations men have of us.
The responses to Tino’s revelation were polarising. Whereas I saw some praising him and referring to him as a “true legend” and saying that his critics were merely “jealous”, I saw responses with opposing views.
The first types of responses I saw were people dismissing Tino’s claim and stating that no man can possibly sleep with so many women at such a young age.
Incorrect.
This view is a part of the ignorance that exists as it relates to sexual activity in Barbados and the world. Many people love sex. Many people do not practise monogamy. Thirdly, according to my mother, “A lot of people are just wuffless for no reason.” If I can know men who calmly in their 30s have had sexual relations with in excess of 100 women in Barbados alone, Tino’s claim does not surprise me despite the very large margin (500-650).
Not in anything
Secondly, I saw many persons speaking about the women in question. I think women know what they are getting into when being sexually active with a “playboy”.
I know men that outrightly tell women: “Listen, I ain’t looking for no girl. We not in anything.”
Whilst this kind of remark would ensure that a man never hears from me again, a lot of women take no issue with this kind of behaviour. Actually, it surprisingly turns on quite a few. My thoughts on the women who slept with Tino? Nothing. No, I don’t agree that they are silly. For them, they probably saw it from the same angle Tino has been seeing it – sex with no strings attached. A few probably fell in love but we have all been hurt in affairs of the heart. A lesson has been learnt by them.
A close friend called and told me that Tino is making men look bad. “Is he?” was my response. If Tino stating his sexual exploits in a book is going to make your woman put you in the doghouse, your woman needs her own doghouse. She just wants a reason to quarrel with you.
Not carried away
Finally, let us not all get carried away with this entire situation. In the broad scheme of things, should we really care who Tino has slept with? I don’t.
What people do behind closed doors is no concern of mine. However, Tino did put it out there to be heard and carried by ESPN, Daily Mail and a variety of other media channels. Therefore, he cannot blame people for what they say. My opinion in this is the same when I told a friend who was tweeting curse words at Wendy Williams when she said something disgusting about Rihanna.
Your actions are feeding it. In Williams’ case it was ratings, in Tino’s case it is book sales. The comments, posts and calls on the call-in programmes are all part of a bigger strategy at hand and those who have been consuming themselves with it are drinking the kool-aid.
Books “haffi” sell!
Toni Thorne is a fashion entrepreneur and World Economic Forum Global shaper who Loves global youth culture, a great debate and living in paradise.