Commentary

Calculating 16.5 per cent

By LEIGHTON WILLIAMS Staff Reporter

ON THURSDAY, I heard the news that the General Consumption Tax (GCT) would move to 16.5 per cent up from its current 15 per cent.

That along with other news on the day had me really doing some serious maths as to how my small pay cheque would be affected.

But, that announcement is now in the past. What I and many other Jamaicans are now confronted with is how to work out 16.5 per cent of anything we buy in the supermarket, shop, pharmacy, or even our monthly bills, which attract GCT.

There are mathematics buffs reading this who will say 'piece of cake'.

It may be for them but not for many of us. Look at it, 16.5 per cent of $100 is $16.50. But what is 16.5 per cent of $115.36. Now that is going to take some time to calculate.

Better yet, every month I go to the supermarket I see things like silky toilet paper or milk soap or some other that your body just barely recognise when you use. (You know, how does your semi-solid moisture know the difference between regular toilet paper and silky paper?).

I'm straying.

Some items sell for prices like $27.80 (silky toilet paper) or $166.37 (Breeze Multi-active Lemon detergent 1 kg sachet). When they were at 15 per cent, I saw women who feel they must have these items struggle to work out 15 per cent of $166.37. I had no problems working out what I went to buy because its everyday mathematics. But, alas I've now joined the strugglers as calculating 16.5 per cent of anything I'm to buy is going to have me walking with my cell phone in my hand doubling as a calculator.

Hmm, I wonder what it will be like to work out 16.5 per cent of the cost of one box of Hershey's Chocolate, a big white teddy bear and a dozen red roses for Valentine's Day? Maybe I should ask some people who buy gifts next year.

And speaking of the unnecessary tradition called Valentine's Day, my colleague last week Monday went on a diatribe about chivalry. During her long brouhaha about it I was taken out of context about Valentine's Day.

Again, I believe some women read too much romance novels, watch too much television and spend too much time talking with other idealistic women while growing up. So, they grow up believing Valentine's Day gift is a right.

Let me break it to all you women out there who believe that you must receive a Valentine's Day present. You are not entitled to it! Receiving a Valentine's Day gift is not a right!

What is your right and entitlement is all year round love, care, respect and equality from your partner. Not Valentine's Day gift. Hence, a man who refuses to buy her a Valentine's gift but gives her birthday gifts and little love tokens year-round and treats her well should not be seen as unchivalrous. In fact, it should not matter that you were not given a gift on Valentine's Day.

And, there are things I'd like to say about chivalry, and the other things she mentioned. But, that is for another time.

Comments? Email me at williamleightonc@hotmail.com