I am trying to listen to a conference call right now while being on Webex and another proprietary web application that Synectics own (www.flyingtable.com) and write this blog. So to say that I am multi-tasking is an understatement. I am actually amazed at myself being able to manage this as I got in at 1:00am last night from a business trip. Either way, I am getting a post out this week!
We never take the time to say thank you anymore; at least not when it means something. So first, THANK YOU for reading my blog! It means a lot, I am a neophyte and trying to get a handle on this and how and why it helps society.
A Thank You can go a long way. Heart felt Thank You's go even longer. Think about the last time you said thank you to someone and you really meant it. How did you feel giving the thank you. I absolutely love saying thank you to people and meaning it. It makes there day and it makes mine. There is this renewed energy when someone does something nice for us and we reward them with a Thank you.
I have been in restaurants, nice restaurants where patrons don't say thank you. I always try to figure out what the hell is there problem. I don't care how much you spend on your meal...thank you should be required. The art of the thank you has been lost and the era of expectations has set in. It is like how kids these days have expectations of get, get, get versus give, give, give. What has happened to us?
Which puts me on a soap box right now...parents who have little or no expectations for there children. It is an abomination that there are no restrictions whatsoever. Why does a 10 year old need a cell phone. When I was ten we didn't need them (28 years ago), nor do I think I would be allowed to have one. Why does a 9 year old need an iPod? Come on now! that is absolutely ridiculous. In the age of excess we are starting to feed the illness versus look for a cure.
I blame it on these shows on MTV, my sweet 16 or something like that. Is that crap really aspirational? A $60,000 Mercedes and the little brat cries over it? That is absolutely insane. (By the way I am completely schooled on My Sweet 16, I flew on a red eye back from LA once on Jetblue and nothing was on except a marathon of this show...) I really don't care how much money you have, please don't do this to your children.
As a side note: I want a Mercedes, I think they ride nicely, they are safe and it is after all a Mercedes. I drive a Corolla...enough said.
Back to this age of excess for a couple of more lines then I will sign off for now. When did it become protocol to have birthday parties at these places that end up costing $25 per kid to attend? That is absolutely nuts. I hate to see parents spend money on Lazer Craze for fifteen 9 year olds to run around and play laser tag. It costs $15 per kid, then food, then this and then, the worst of it all it becomes a contest on which parents can give the best goody bags. Believe me, I have fallen into the trap myself...now we give out a book and a lollipop. GO READ!
I guess life has become a series of contests between parents, between kids and between families. It is this competition that has driven our kids to have expectations that they will always get what they want and we as parents will give it to them because we don't want to deprive little Johnny or May and make them look bad in front of their friends. If I hear one more time that so-and-so has a Wii or Jimmy (who is 8) has an iPod, I am going to go crazy. I say "well, go over so-and-so's house and play Wii...just make sure you finished your homework first."
So, I am totally off on a tangent and I want to sum up my thoughts...
To my six year old: "Son where do you think all of mom and dad's money comes from?" In response to a question of wanting to buy a Wii.
From my six year old: "Dad, you just drive up to the bank and put your credit card in the slot and the money comes out..."
To my six year old: "How does the money get in the bank?"
Back at me: "Everyone has the money dad, don't we all share it?"
Enough said.
1 comment:
Joe-I feel the same way about politeness. Where the heck did it go??? I had someone in Dunkin Donuts comment on my politeness because I said thank you to someone who moved aside for me to get to the counter and I said excuse me when I had to cut in front of someone. Common courtesy. My boys are reminded to say please and thank you if they have that momentary lapse. Too many times have I walked out of a non-automatic door with 2 children (4 and 2) and a bag of merchandise to have the person in front of me turn around, see me and not bother to hold the door. I admit sometimes I do that but I will turn back and hold the door as best I can after seeing I let the door go. If these adults have kids than we have a very entitled generation coming up. On the flip side, I have also had young teens and teens hold the door for me. Shocking. I always say thank you and if their parents are there comment on how polite they are. Positive reinforcemnet I guess. Well Joe, thank you for allowing my vent! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and enjoy your birthday next week!! ~Catherine
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