Familiarity breeds contempt

I learned from my high school teacher about the famous proverb, “Familiarity breeds contempt.”

The proverb is said to have originated from the old Greek fabulist Aesop in his work, “The Fox and the Lion,” and from the ancient Roman writer Lucius Apuleius’ quotation, “Familiarity breeds contempt, while rarity wins admiration.”

English writer Geoffrey Chaucer recorded it in his “Tale of Melibee” in 1386.

Mark Twain added his own version by quoting, “Familiarity breeds contempt—and children.”

I noticed that in the Philippines, most politicians address their colleagues by their first names in formal hearings and sessions in the Senate and in Congress.

I have watched similar proceedings in the United States, England, and in Germany on television and they never do that there. They don’t do it in the press either!

I was once in the office of a lawyer friend who was the head of his law office in Makati. His secretary called him Sir Frank.

The practice is also common in the media. Instead of saying “Senator de la Cruz” for example, they say “Senator Jun,” “Congressman Joe,” etc.

Why the familiarity?

Ramon Mayuga, ramon.mayuga49@gmail.com