The "It's a free country" Argument- Page 2

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 11:50am

Oh, it's always about you, RobbO.

My parents both brought me up to be a respectable citizen. There are a lot of parents failing their children right now because they're going to grow up (or have already grown up) as a--holes.

I'm certainly not a perfect and sometimes not even a good person, but I do try to be considerate and sometimes go out of my way to help people (only sometimes, mind you). About a year ago, I realized that I was being way too self-involved, so I've been volunteering for the Anti-Cruelty Society, a big Chicago animal shelter, since then just to be of service to something that's not myself.

I wish service was a mandatory in this country for a--holes.

[RobbO]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 12:01pm

not me, "me"

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 12:06pm

"I" know.

[MatthewAddison]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 12:39pm

It all started when they banned prayer in schools...

[Kringas]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 12:42pm

¡Si!

[RobbO]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:00pm

i figured, sg, but had to check. i've gotten several nastygrams when i thought it was pretty obvious that i was kidding/sarcastic.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:17pm

I hate you, RObbO, which is my right because it's a free country!

[Calvin]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:20pm

Don't forget when Benjamin Spock banned spanking.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:23pm

It's the sense of entitlement in this country.

I've bitched about it on here oodles of times....and I can flat out guarantee you that from the behavior I witness constantly in my classroom from children, this is not going away any time soon.

Children are being raised without self-control, courtesy, empathy or manners. They want what they want when they want it, and no one can tell them otherwise, and mom and dad wouldn't even dare try.

I hate people.

[kelzama]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:29pm

Clearly, the problem is that you think it's all about you, when in reality, it's all about me.

And therein lies the problem.

Most teenagers believe the world revolves around them, their amazing wit, biting sarcasm, insightful commentary, and irrepressible knowledge about everything.

Combine that with absentee parents and a lack of any moral guiding authority and voila! Thoughtless, rude, moronic young adults who feel entitled to whatever it is they want, whenever they want it.

[RobbO]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:36pm

but it's not just the teenagers. it's their parents. and their grandparents.

[kelzama]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:39pm

I completely agree, Robbo, but since the original post regarded 17 year olds...

[Jane2]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 1:43pm

I can always join in on these threads because I run into this so often. In fact, I just got back from telling two different people off, kind of.

My local garden does not allow food. I take pride in this place, and contribute money to keep it nice. So this young girl is sitting on a bench, eating. I tried not to be rude, so I oh-so-innocently asked her if they changed the rules and now allow food? She said, I don't know, no one said anything to me. So I told her she was lucky and I left.

Then, in Gourmet Garage, someone left all their items on the counter and walked away. The cashier thought they were mine, and started ringing them up. Then she had to go correct the tape when I told her they weren't mine. The guy whose Items they were showed up. When I glared at him, he rudely snapped, is there a problem?

Anyway, I like doodle's solution to the phone thing, and I'm going to try it!

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 2:00pm

"Okay, I changed my mind...I think when you are in these situations you should sing, ala Paul Lynde:
Kids!
I don't know what's wrong with these kids today!
Kids!
Who can understand anything they say?
Kids!"

damn you beat me to it.
haha i just saw that show last month and it's the first thing that popped into my head when i read this thread.

[Calvin]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 2:06pm

The other night, I was on the A train, and some parents were returning home from the circus with their kids. The kids were shrieking at the top of their lungs. Mom and dad just ignored them. They were so loud that they were drowning out the music I had blasting into my ears at top volume from my iPod. Now -- I have sympathy for parents with crying babies. It's annoying, but I know it's out of their control in many cases. But these were just rowdy 5-year-olds who were playing. I came really close to leaning down in their faces as I left the train and screaming at the top of my lungs.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/3/07 at 2:51pm

I should clarify my position, though. I'm not talking solely about teenagers. I'm talking about people in general. It just happens that the ones I encountered last night were younger. I've witnessed courtesy atrocities from people of all ages. I've seen a 45-year old woman clipping her fingernails on the train. I've seen people blocking the stairs into the underground talking on their phones, oblivious to the people shoving by them, because they don't want to lose their signals. I've seen people let their toddlers run around in restaurants while they continue their meals and conversations. I myself have been plowed into by people, but given dirty looks for being in the way of their very important paths.

I just don't get why it's so difficult to be courteous.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 10:59am

My partner and I had dinner two nights ago right next to a table with two small children. I thought "uh-oh!," but the parents where actively involved with their children...drawing them into the conversation....playing hangman with them....asking then questions.

It was a delightful dining experience.

Just before we left, we complimented them on how well-behaved their children were.

Not only should you call bad behavior into question, you should encourage and support parents that are doing their job!

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 11:19am

You are so right, Windy! It's so easy to focus only on the negative, thereby forgetting that the positive should be rewarded and acknowledged.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/4/07 at 1:42pm

"But, you see, the thing is it's not really a free country. There are all sorts of things we can't do, i.e. have sex with animals, kill people, smoke in restaurants, walk around in public naked, beat children, drive as fast as we want, etc."

what if the dog just starts licking your c*ck all of a sudden?
Updated On: 5/7/07 at 01:42 PM

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 11:28am

Had another intersting experience on the El yesterday with some Americans full of rights. I sat across from these two Hispanic girls who were talking loudly in Spanish. But, hey, whatever, I can block that out easily. But then one of the girls pulls out a sheet of bubble wrap and pops it. And pops it. And pops it. And pops it. For about ten stops.

Finally I just stopped reading my book and stared at her. She didn't notice, but her friend did and started telling her friend something in Spanish and then they both gave me dirty looks. Then the girl started to pop the bubbles in bulk, thereby making an even louder sound. Other people on the train were giving her looks as well, but it seems that I'm the only true bitch on the train since I was the only visible looker.

One day I'm going to haul off and start stabbing people. Maybe I should just start carrying pepper spray.

"You're an a--hole!" *squirrrrrrrrrt*

[chicolini]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 12:21pm

It's the Cell Block Tango, only with bubble wrap instead of gum! Poor SG - I hope you get a good Velma to work with in jail.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 12:30pm

I know! But, really, who has freaking bubble wrap with them? In case something delicate needs to be packed?

Hell-effing-loooo?!?

[gymdudeva]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 12:55pm

When I was a kid, I would have been *mortified* if an adult told me that I was doing something wrong. Now, I don't even dare say anything to rowdy kids, because I know that all I will get is an argument and nastiness.

And it's sad when well-behaved, quiet children are a rarity these days.

[peach]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 1:35pm

A lot of the problems with rude children is the parents. I was at the grocery store a while back and two moms were having a parking lot conversation while their children (probably about age 8 or 9, old enough to know better) threw rocks (yes, rocks) at the passing cars. I said something to one of the mothers and her response? "Oh they're not hurting anyone." HUH?????

I just shook my head and left.

On the other hand, I was in a restaurant recently where this family had the most well-behaved, polite children I had ever seen. The kids were young. Maybe 4 and 6 or so. They said "May I have a glass of water, please?" When the waiter stopped by. They said "thank you" when the waiter brought their dinner. They sat quietly and played with a coloring book and crayons while the parents finished up their meal.

My friend said something to the Dad later on (we were leaving at the same time). The Dad said "Thank you. We have rules about restaurants. They know they can come if they are polite and behave. If not, they know we pay the check and leave immediately. No warnings, one chance."

Seems following through on the rules works. Go figure.


Updated On: 5/10/07 at 01:35 PM

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/10/07 at 1:57pm

I find that I can make a 5 year old cry with my withering gaze...I often refer to it as my "Sheryl Lee Ralph entering the dressing room" face.

I so enjoy doing that...I've also embarrassed a few adults with it.

Unfortunately, it works less and less of the time...sad.