There Will Always Be Poseurs

Poseurs… you know who they are. You can spot them from far off by their distinct traits.

For one, they talk more than they do. They’ve always got an opinion. They always have an idea about how something ought to be done, and why it’s always better for someone else to do it. They also like to be seen. If there is a photo opportunity, you’ll be certain that they’re in it, looking smart, smiling and so part-of-the-picture.

They are the ones who demonstrate such enthusiastic pride in the Company or Brigade, promising to help and sort of say, “Hey, I’m a BB member, too!” They show up at the Big Events, shaking hands, making idle chatter and telling stupid jokes. Still, you don’t really mind them. After all, some of them are your friends. You grew up together with them – you were in the same squad, had the same officers, and tried to court the same girls. So you shake their hands, chatter idly with them and laugh (a little too forcefully, you think) at their stupid jokes. But then, they nonchalantly ask That One Question that utterly exasperates you:

“So, how is the Company these days?”

And. You. Bite. Your. Tongue.

What you really want to say to them is, “Well, why don’t you come by for the Company meetings and find out for yourself?” But you don’t, because you can already hear their answers before they even utter it.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve got no time.” It’s a classic. Forget about the fact that everyone has the same God-given 24 hours. Ignore the fact that they can easily spend three to five hours over the weekend playing soccer or golf every week. But ask them to roll up their sleeves and spend that same amount of time at Company meetings? No way. Please… too busy.

Another typical answer is their appeal to concentrate on work and make a living – or more commonly, “Busy-lah… working!” This is perfectly understandable, of course. I mean, it’s obvious that everyone who volunteers their time with the Boys’ Brigade already has a sizeable fortune or a trust fund to support them. Officers don’t need to work. We don’t have careers to build. We don’t have families to support.

Yet still they show up at the Big Events. They still like to have their opinion (“What happened to Boys these days? They’re not like last time. I think you should…”). They still love to have their photos taken with all their BB Buddies – shaking hands, making idle chatter and telling the same stupid jokes. They still show up at major Company or Brigade events, either to appease their guilt or to enjoy the limelight – having no qualms declaring that they were a member of the Company or the Brigade but are nowhere in sight when there is work to be done.

I’ve stopped judging them, you know. I’ve stopped thinking about how they get to enjoy their life, weekends and career while I put on a uniform every Saturday, hang out with young people and try to make a difference.

You see, there will always be poseurs, but we must never judge them – there is no point to it. Sometimes, we have to accept that they are who they are. Some genuinely cannot help, for whatever reasons they may have and we forgive them for it. Others help behind the scenes simply because not everyone is given the talent to minister directly to children and youth. There are others still who... well, maybe it is better this way. Who knows what harm they might cause if they were to show up and be recognized as an Officer?

I don't understand these people – and frankly, I don't really care about them. Let them come over for Big Events, shake hands, make idle chatter and tell stupid jokes. It doesn’t matter – they are still our friends and our former Members. However, there is a line that they must never cross: the line that exists between their negative influence and our Members.

I will fiercely guard the Members under my care from the likes of these people. They are not allowed to talk down to any Boy under my care, if they are going to be hypocritical about it in the first place. They are not allowed to complain about whatever sad state they presume the Company is presently in, if they are not going to roll up their sleeves and help out with the cure. But most of all, they will never be allowed to turn any of our Members into poseurs themselves.

They can do whatever they want, but mess with one of our Members and influence them negatively, and I will have their poseur-heads.

Originally published: 9 April 2003