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

not me, "me"

---

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

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

---

Don't forget when Benjamin Spock banned spanking.

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.

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

"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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

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*

---

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

Hell-effing-loooo?!?

---

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