- FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is a social phenomenon driven by the anxiety that others are having more fun or achieving more status, leading individuals to act impulsively to remain included.
- In Trinidad and Tobago, this cultural tendency manifests in the compulsion to attend events—ranging from parties to state funerals—regardless of invitation status or social norms.
- The author advocates for JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), emphasizing self-sufficiency and the dignity of declining invitations rather than "storming" events.
The SAPA Incident
- On January 9, 2024, former Finance Minister Karen Nunez-Tesheira and former Senate President Timothy Hamel-Smith were filmed scaling a railing at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA).
- The pair sought entry to the state funeral of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday despite lacking official invitations.
- Nunez-Tesheira justified the action to the media by citing perceived slights and exclusion, highlighting how political figures sometimes use aggressive "FOMO" tactics to maintain visibility and status.
Cultural Context and Implications
- The incident highlights a broader cultural preoccupation with hierarchy, status, and the "see and be seen" mentality common in local society.
- While "ordinary" citizens might face harsh consequences for similar public disturbances, high-society figures often face lower scrutiny, normalizing such behavior.
- The author suggests that forgoing attendance in the absence of an invitation—and instead sending a condolence card—is the more dignified, mature, and JOMO-aligned approach.