(no subject)
I've said this before, but I'll say it again: I usually get along with individual people. You can have decent conversations with them and civilly disagree. It's big groups I've got problems with, because (again, generally speaking) they tend towards the mob end of things and I'm not comfortable with that. I am willing to make an exception for some individuals though. Let me tell you a story as to why.
Last week you and your family were at the grocery store picking out desert. One thing's for sure: it's going to be ice cream. The grocery store has stocked up on three flavors: banana, strawberry and chocolate. All of your kids hate chocolate, so that's out. (I know, I know... but work with me here) The oldest really likes banana ice scream, but the other two want strawberry. So strawberry it is. The oldest one is miffed, but has no choice to accept this.
This week the neighbors and their kids are coming over for dinner. And because you want to be a good host you take all six kids (yours and theirs) to the grocery store to pick out dessert. Being predictable, they all want ice cream. This time the choice is between chocolate and strawberry, because the banana has sold out.
Two of the neighbor's kids really like chocolate. The other one just does not really care because he'd rather have lime flavored ice cream, but could be persuaded either way, and your youngest two, being the predictable little shits they are, go for strawberry.
The oldest one, being the little predictable shit he is, wants banana. You explain to him that he can't because he has to choose between chocolate and strawberry. Not because you don't care for him or hate banana, but simply because those are the flavors the grocery store has at the moment. Banana just isn't on the menu today.
This causes the oldest one to throw a tantrum. He goes on and on about how vile strawberry flavored ice scream is. Given his even greater dislike of chocolate, he won't have either. His friend from school, who happens to be there with his mother, chimes in and starts telling everybody how right he is. Strawberry is just plain evil and dangerous. Having heard all that, the undecided kid goes for the chocolate. So chocolate ice cream it is.
Understandably your eldest two are upset with just about everybody. They not happy with the choice of the neighbor's kids, but even more so with the youngest for not only not choosing strawberry, but being so vocal about it being nasty and vile, none of the neighbor's kids would consider it. Who then starts complaining about how we all should get along and make the best of a bad situation, because he doesn't like chocolate ice cream either.
If this were my kid, I'd give a stern talking to and tell him he doesn't get to so flippant after the stunt he pulled at the grocery store. You made this bed, don't go telling other people to lie in it. That's extremely bad form. Even worse form is saying it's not your fault, because you were only expressing an opinion. These things matter. Because a lot of small scale things add up to a big thing.
In the end it boils down to this: you had a choice and you decided to throw it away. And by doing so penalized not only yourself, because you ended up with the worst of the possible outcomes, but others as well. And as long as you don't recognize that, you've lost all your speaking privileges as far as I'm concerned.
Last week you and your family were at the grocery store picking out desert. One thing's for sure: it's going to be ice cream. The grocery store has stocked up on three flavors: banana, strawberry and chocolate. All of your kids hate chocolate, so that's out. (I know, I know... but work with me here) The oldest really likes banana ice scream, but the other two want strawberry. So strawberry it is. The oldest one is miffed, but has no choice to accept this.
This week the neighbors and their kids are coming over for dinner. And because you want to be a good host you take all six kids (yours and theirs) to the grocery store to pick out dessert. Being predictable, they all want ice cream. This time the choice is between chocolate and strawberry, because the banana has sold out.
Two of the neighbor's kids really like chocolate. The other one just does not really care because he'd rather have lime flavored ice cream, but could be persuaded either way, and your youngest two, being the predictable little shits they are, go for strawberry.
The oldest one, being the little predictable shit he is, wants banana. You explain to him that he can't because he has to choose between chocolate and strawberry. Not because you don't care for him or hate banana, but simply because those are the flavors the grocery store has at the moment. Banana just isn't on the menu today.
This causes the oldest one to throw a tantrum. He goes on and on about how vile strawberry flavored ice scream is. Given his even greater dislike of chocolate, he won't have either. His friend from school, who happens to be there with his mother, chimes in and starts telling everybody how right he is. Strawberry is just plain evil and dangerous. Having heard all that, the undecided kid goes for the chocolate. So chocolate ice cream it is.
Understandably your eldest two are upset with just about everybody. They not happy with the choice of the neighbor's kids, but even more so with the youngest for not only not choosing strawberry, but being so vocal about it being nasty and vile, none of the neighbor's kids would consider it. Who then starts complaining about how we all should get along and make the best of a bad situation, because he doesn't like chocolate ice cream either.
If this were my kid, I'd give a stern talking to and tell him he doesn't get to so flippant after the stunt he pulled at the grocery store. You made this bed, don't go telling other people to lie in it. That's extremely bad form. Even worse form is saying it's not your fault, because you were only expressing an opinion. These things matter. Because a lot of small scale things add up to a big thing.
In the end it boils down to this: you had a choice and you decided to throw it away. And by doing so penalized not only yourself, because you ended up with the worst of the possible outcomes, but others as well. And as long as you don't recognize that, you've lost all your speaking privileges as far as I'm concerned.