The Eloquent Stranger: Two Encounters

On my way out this morning, I encountered a man who appeared to be mentally unstable. He approached me and asked if I would buy him some roasted plantain. I looked at him briefly and continued walking, but as I moved away, he called out in impeccable Queen's English, "Is it that you don’t have any cash?"

Coincidentally, I had a similar experience yesterday. I saw a woman who was also acting erratically; she seemed to be struggling with her mental health. However, she was speaking to herself in a very refined British accent. It made me wonder about her past—had she lived abroad? What could have happened to lead her to this point?

A Bit of Perspective

It’s actually more common than we think for people struggling with mental health to retain their education and speech patterns. Psychologists often note that:

 * Muscle Memory: Language and accents are deeply embedded in the brain; even when someone loses their grip on reality, their "intellectual" voice often remains intact.

* The "Fall from Grace": Many people roaming the streets were once professors, lawyers, or students abroad before a traumatic event or a chemical imbalance changed their lives.

It’s a sobering reminder that mental health issues don't discriminate based on education or background.