ponderings

How many times have you heard someone say that they were late because their "alarm didn't go off" or their "car broke down" on the way to work? You might be able to blame the person if it happens every day and they don't fix the problem. And if they don't have the money to fix the problem, maybe they should just scrap the old machinery and get something new...which also costs money. But if the machinery malfunction only occurs every once in a great while, the delay is only a few minutes, and the job still gets done, is there a reason to get really angry with that person for running a few minutes behind?

Have you ever stood in a long line somewhere, let's say a fast food joint or ice cream stand, where the menu is plainly visible? We all have. While in line, patrons talk amongst themselves, mostly deciding what to order and getting their money out. When the customers in front of you finally make it up to the head of the line, they stop, scratch their heads in wonder and ask, "What do you have to eat here?" and proceed to have the entire menu read to them. Is that frustrating or what?

There is a sale going on at your favorite store. When the cashier goes to ring up the little old lady in front of you, there is a problem. The computer doesn't recognize the bar code, or the wrong item keeps popping up; something odd is tipping off the machine. The cashier explains that it isn't an equipment failure, but a manager needs to have a look and see what is going on. The little old lady is furious at being put out, yelling at the cashier that she has an appointment in five minutes and she has to leave now, just to give her her item so she can leave. But the machine has to resolve the price issue so that the lady can pay, or she'll have to leave the sale item behind. If the lady knew she had to leave at a certain time, why didn't she allow herself plenty of extra time to complete her shopping, just in case there was a long line or problem?

You know that kid who never listens, even when he asks a question and someone immediately answers it? Isn't it frustrating for someone to ask you a question and then continue about their lives doing what they want without listening to the answer? Especially when the answer to the question will determine what action they should take next? Um, yeah. Thanks for listening.

When you go to a circus or fun-fair, you usually buy tickets for each attraction. Or at least that used to be the way things went. When you get up to the head of the line you give your ticket to the guy in the funny hat to go inside the tent to see the fattest bearded lady in the world. You can't go inside without a ticket, or maybe a special hand stamp. Everyone in the line is doing the same thing. Until the dude in front of you reaches the front. He throws his hands into the air and gets mad at the man in the funny hat. He yells things like, "You never told me I had to have a ticket!!" and stomps away to go buy a ticket. Isn't that behavior rude and just flat out ignorant?

What about when you're at the grocery store? When you stand in line forever, people tend to jump out of the line. When you get up to the cashier and start unloading your cart, you find out that the reason the line is taking so long is because the person who is being rung up is taking one box or can out of the cart at a time and waiting for it to be rung up before they take out another. The cashier keeps telling the patron that she can empty her whole cart at once, but the lady insists that she has to keep an eye on her groceries in case the cashier steals them or breaks them open while she's not looking. Wow. Now that is confidence. Why bother coming here at all if she feels that way?

Or how about this one....you're stopped at a red light near enough to a police officer who has pulled someone over and you can hear the conversation. The driver is yelling at the officer who is calling for backup. The man has made an illegal right turn on red in front of a posted sign. The officer is explaining the law and why the man is getting a ticket as the driver gets more and more angry. The driver is clearly in the wrong. Why do some people think that the rules do not apply to them?

Just one more.




You know what is really really REALLY weird?

Have you ever been in a long line at the airport and been really ticked at the officers who are working there because you perceive them as slow, shady, inefficient, lazy, and rude? Read all those scenarios again and picture an airport checkpoint instead.

I can help who is next in line, please.