I became acquainted with this young man two decades ago during his undergraduate days at the university. At that time, I was already employed. He used to visit our neighborhood for recreational activities, and he showed me respect due to the significant age gap between us.
Recently, I found myself in their area, and I spotted him among a group of people. I parked my car and approached them with the same warmth and familiarity that characterized our previous interactions, as these individuals had been great and friendly neighbors.
I greeted them all with enthusiasm, and they reciprocated warmly, except for this young man, who now holds the position of counselor. I was taken aback by his noticeably distant reaction. He almost seemed to disregard my presence as I extended my hand for a handshake.
I couldn’t help but wonder if his change in behavior was a result of his newfound role as a counselor. It struck me as somewhat premature for him to adopt such a reserved demeanor at this stage in his life.