He was an older gentlemen. Time and age had stooped his shoulders and back. He used a cane for balance when walking. Most likely someone's grandfather. I watched as he crossed the road in the crosswalk. And I watched as the driver who was waiting impatiently threw up his hands in disgust. How dare this man hold him up. Probably had somewhere really important to go.
She was ahead of me in the grocery store checkout lane. Smartly dressed. Very stylish. The cashier greeted her. She never said a thing. The cashier asked if plastic bags were OK. Just a nod of the head. When the transaction was finished, the cashier wished her a good day, and she still said nothing. She didn't speak one word the whole entire time. Probably too much on her mind to notice.
I sit. And I watch. And I wonder. When did we, as a society, become so engrossed in ourselves that we forgot about those around us? When did it start becoming "me versus them" instead of "all of us together"?
What a great post!! So right about the "ME" mindset of society..so sad really.
ReplyDeleteLaura@Miceinthekitchen
If I find that fairy I promise I will send it your way...but I love you just the way you are! :)
We are becoming more of a me society, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteI agree, we are a selfish society
ReplyDeleteYes - selfishness is spreading at an alarming rate. So sad :(
ReplyDeleteThere's two sides to every story. Try it from a new perspective. Did the first woman actually have a cellphone in her hands? Maybe she got a call that someone she cared about was hurt. I don't know about you but if someone called and said my mom was in the hospital for something serious I don't care who you are or what I am doing I am booking it to that hospital.
ReplyDeleteDid the elderly man have the right of way? Just because you're in a cross walk and just because you're old doesn't mean you can dart out into traffic. Even if I have the "Walk" sign I am making sure those cars have stopped or are coming to a stop. I'm not arrogant enough to have the mentality of "they'll stop, I'm a pedestrian." The person driving the car has a how-ever-many-ton hunk of metal that can kill you. Human vs Car; car always wins.
Perhaps the lady who didn't speak had a hearing problem, only spoke with sign language and could read lips? I worked in retail and I had several customers who were like that and if they really needed something they would have to write it down because my ASL is very minimal (I had friends growing up who's older brother was deaf).
While yes we are a very Me/I driven society you can complain about it all you want but its not going to change. The world is always evolving, always changing and as far as I know in the history books we've never been a very giving or caring society. We've always looked out for our own. Ever read Charles Dickens?
I was just dropping since you were so kind as to comment on my blog on Monday when I was the SITS featured blogger. Also, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog this Friday if you'd like to come back by and check it out that would be excellent!
Your fellow SITStah,
Sara Ivy
http://saraivy.org
I've often wondered this same thing. I think Sary Ivy's perspective is interesting also but in general, I think we're just an inconsiderate society. Maybe it has always been that way but it doesn't mean it's right.
ReplyDeleteSimply could not love this post more if I tried. It is 100% totally fabulous and you nailed it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura!
ReplyDeleteAnd a "me" society is the best way I can describe what I see.
I'm afraid we are. I'm also afraid that I see no way to stop it.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we are.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad. And I fear there's nothing we can do about it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for writing this Sara. I was trying to vaguely hint that there might be two sides to every story. I always try to keep an open mind.
ReplyDeleteFor the lady who didn't hold the door and the lady who didn't speak at the checkout lane? There absolutely could have been another side of the story. For the guy in the car? Unfortunately, I don't think there was another story. I think he was just frustrated that he couldn't make his right turn into a grocery store parking lot as quickly as he wanted to.
I truly think that part of the reason we seem more rude as a society is because there's so much more vying for our attention. And you're right, it will never change.
No, it doesn't make it right. I think the best we can do is try to be kind to those in our small circle, and hope that they do the same for their circle. It won't change the world, but even if it can make one person feel better, that's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I truly appreciate your feedback!
ReplyDelete