How my mix-tape made the trip shorter

WEIRD. That’s probably the best way to describe my taste in music. I never quite fit in socially, and I suppose my music taste followed suit.

One time I was travelling with a group of friends, and we decided that on the long road trip, each one of us would get to play one side of their favourite mix-tape, and then we’d rotate until we reached our destination.

The first few miles went well as jazz, rock, soul and blues brought head-bobs and easy conversation. Then my tape slipped into the deck. Suddenly, the pee breaks became more frequent – and far longer. 

Oddly, everyone climbed out whether their bladders were full or not. And they left my tape running, doors and windows shut tight, as though they didn’t want the music escaping into the wild.

After my tape, the rule changed; suddenly, the owner of the vehicle announced that, actually, everyone should play both sides of a 90-minute cassette. He was also going to show everyone how fast his car could go. I was rather disappointed that we got to our destination before I had my turn, but that’s how the cookie crumbled, I guess.

But let’s agree that it was rather nice that the other occupants never once made a comment about how they felt about the tunes I enjoyed. I appreciate them doing it that way. I know my taste is weird, but imagine how crushed I would be if they had made some derogatory, spiteful or caustic comment, something like: “This music is sommer (you may insert your own expletive here).”

I even admired the driver. He enforced the one unwritten, sacred rule of road trips: the owner of the vehicle makes the rules.

But unlike that road trip, real life doesn’t let you step out of the car and take a breather, and sadly, sometimes that old sacred rule is enforced to the disadvantage of the masses. I’ve been noticing a worrying trend: whenever demand rises, prices shoot up, and ordinary people are fed up.

Without going into the varied and complex explanations of “why” it happens, I just have to mention that this – the seasonal price hikes – is a topic of conversation wherever one turns, especially around holiday periods.

During the festive season, a bus ticket that costs R400 for most of the year suddenly spikes to triple the price. Flights follow the same pattern — the fuller the seats, the higher the fare. Even e-hailing apps have their “peak hour tax,” and a friend recently informed me they’d be late for our meeting because lunchtime prices were soaring.

Seems like when there’s more demand, there’s more of a squeeze. I remember the times when modern cinema franchises were popular. You could pay hundreds of rands to treat a family of three to a movie and a few snacks.

Dare I say it, I agree with a meme that I saw recently that says, “It’s not online streaming that killed cinema, it’s R100 movie tickets, and R50 popcorn!”

Let’s be fair, everyone deserves to make a living, and beyond that, it’s wonderful when you can make a profit. And I wish every individual, company and organisation out there grinding out an income, every success in their business ventures.

However, what I need to add is that maybe there is a space to meet struggling consumers, if not halfway, then at least part of the way, closer to a fair deal, because let’s face it, excessively elevated costs, at a time when a few extra pennies could have contributed to some Festive cheer, can leave one feeling rather crushed in spirit.

These days, all people are pleading for is fairness. And fairness isn’t about eliminating profit – it’s about ensuring that the weird music of life doesn’t stop playing for those who can’t afford the ticket.