Gratitude for the gene pool

Every time I've experienced the tight fisted meanness of a relative, friend or colleague I've wondered if they were ever taught by their parents and grandparents to share with siblings and the world at large.

Please know that I have experienced the habits of freeloaders who come to a gathering of friends and colleagues and never part with a single dirham even after consuming the most food and drink and not chipping in for the gift.

Today, I've found out that the poor scrooges could not really help themselves… it's all in their genes… the generosity gene to be specific, the one they do not have.

Well, a new scientific study has revealed that people with the AVPR1a gene are more likely to share their belongings and give their money to those who are less fortunate (See page 17).

This means that neither the ones who are averse to giving nor their parents and grandparents are to blame.

My point here is: if grandparents don't have the generosity gene how are they going to pass it to their children and if the children don't have it how are they going to pass it on to the grandchildren? And pretty soon you have a whole nation of selfish non-givers.

I've always understood that altruism in its true sense came from the heart or the years of cultural training provided by our parents, parables from the holy books and the coaxing of school teachers whose main message was, "share and share alike".

However, a Yorkshire colleague explained that there are various nations around the world that are known for their meanness.

Yorkshiremen and Scotsmen are the most notorious, but there's also the Dutchman who will just pay for himself (Going Dutch) and the Indian giver who will part with his goods and money but soon change his mind and take it back.

So, does this mean now that it is not hardship and deprivation that fashioned them but the lack of a gene?

Incidentally, in the spirit of Eid and Christmas, my company Al Nisr Media has granted me a two-week holiday and XPRESS Leisure Editor Mazhar Farooqui has generously agreed to fill this space for me.

I thank their parents very much.

Nirmala Janssen
Editor@alnisrmedia.com
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