“BLUFF” IN SCHOOLROOMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 9 April 1924, Page 7

“BLUFF” IN SCHOOLROOMS

Just how far are children taken in bv “bluff” on the part of their parents and teachers? Erom lively recollections of our own childhood tho majority of us would say, “Not at all!” Dut a certain amount of bluffing is a kind of accepted code of communion between parents and children, in which tho latter philosophically; and with a kindly tolerance, acquiesce. Thus children enter the schoolroom a ell prepared for the ancient practice. Indeed, they would bo grenfly clisa pointed if Teacher omitted to thrill the class with a theatrical display of emotion when Tommy went to sleep m “history.” There are two kinds of bluffers, conscious and unconscious ones. The former have a sense of humour. The latter have lost what humour they had through constant bluffing, and have almost come to believe in the selves they pretend to be. Children can always detect the difference between the bluffer who as a humorist, and the “complete bluffer,” who is the greatest bore in the universe ; and while outwardly paying equal deference to both (for children respect the rules of the ancient game of bluff) they may lovo the one while despising the other. The bluffer who has bluffed himself out of all sense of proportion, until his schoolroom is a feudal castle, and himself a minor royalty, is an object of scorn to his class. And though during the time the icy glare of the haughty autocrat is chilling the blood o c bis subjects, they are duly impressed and thrilled, once outside the alarming atmosphere of make-believe in tile sunny, sensible world outside his terrorising influence is nil. And if the' shadow of his memory falls across the joyful hours on the playing field there is not a boy amongst them who will not dispose of it with a scornful commentary of “Silly old fool!” To teachers who lack humour the profession is a dangerous one, for tho game of bluff become a game no longer, but a battle ending in along and silent hatred between himself and his class. Of course the teacher’s training includes the use of bluff, under the more euphonious title of Power of Suggestion. But surely ‘t‘he Lord loveth a cheerful 'bluffer l”