RE: Ukraine on Fire

A good example you give. This clerk will certainly have been aware of the strangeness of his request because, it seems, he knew it was only to keep up appearances. People who feel friendly towards each other gradually dispense with all masks in this familiar circle, yet they insist on them with strangers. It is all a matter of trusting the people with whom one is in relationship. It is more difficult where people do not notice such things or do not want to admit their ambivalent behaviour.

What these measures do to all of us is to rob us of any spontaneity and preconceived trust. This is where the greatest damage lies, the loss of mutual trust in everyday interaction.

Those who wear masks want to trust those who do not wear masks, and they can only do so if one gives in to this wish in a personal way. So it is always a new situation with new people, which makes it so troublesome because you never know who you will meet and in what mood. When I got married last year, I took the mask off in front of the registrar, announcing that I intended to get married without it. She asked permission to keep hers on, so we gave it to her. I also went into an administration office before without a mask at all and was not bothered by anyone. The thing is that you don't know beforehand and those who start asking questions or trying to secure themselves often achieve the opposite.

All what people actually want is being understood and seen. To achieve this mutual friendliness in a situation like yours is truly an artistic act, I think.