Okay, usually I have a theme – today, it’s just stuff that has ticked me off over the last few days. Â
First, the drive-in bank. Â Have your crap ready before you get there. Â Don’t you dare pull up and then start filling out your paperwork after you get in line, or worse, are sitting at the window, all while making the rest of us wait on you because you are too rude and insensitive to take care of your business before you are at the window and holding up the line! Â I am sick of getting stuck behind bozos who think that the rest of us have nothing better to do than wait on their sorry butts. Â It’s RUDE!Â
Second, I just saw a commercial for mattresses. Â They want you to finance your mattress for FIVE years. Â If you have to finance your mattress, you should probably sleep on the floor! Â Which leads me to another rant. Â Have you seen the commercial where the couple goes to a fine restaurant and orders a meal and the meal is so small that they stop by a convenience store to load up on twinkies, chips and soda pop so they can fill up? Â Then they CHARGE it? Â Of course, it’s a credit card commercial. Â First, eat the small amount at the good restaurant. Â Americans equate quantity with quality. Â Try eating small amounts of amazing food instead of huge overflowing plates full of mediocre calorie-laden food. Â Second, if you have to charge your soda pop and treats, you shouldn’t be at the fine restaurant to begin with….. of course, you shouldn’t be buying the treats on credit either! Â One more stupid message from the credit card companies.Â
Third, I’m at the airport waiting to get on a plane. Â I like to get on first because I want to make sure that there is overhead room available for my bags. Â So I willingly step up and stand in line a good long while to make sure I get on the plane where there is room for my bags to actually fit above me. Â I pay for the privilege to fly first class since I fly about 250,000 miles per year so I want my bags handy in case I have to run to my next flight which happens a lot. Â So I’m standing there first in line. Â There is a line behind me. Â Then they announce that the plane is a regional jet and that we have to gate check our bags and that each person will need to get a tag to put on their bags. Â Okay, no biggy. Â I didn’t know it was a regional jet so I needed a tag. Â I left my bag standing there at the front of the line, stepped six feet away to get a tag from the guy and walked back over to my bag. Â Round trip it took five seconds. Â In that five seconds, the woman who had been standing behind me, pushed my bag aside and stepped into the front of the line. Â I walked back over and just looked at her. Â She said, “You left your spot and I didn’t know you were coming back so now I’m here.” Â She said it with no inflection in her voice at all. Â Just a statement that she was now in the front of the line. Â I said, “My bag was here – you saw me walk six feet – and you pushed my stuff out of the way but you didn’t think I was coming back?” Â She just shrugged and turned her back on me. Â The guy behind her said, “Step on in here, I’m sorry she did that.” Â He and I just stood and laughed about how rude people have become. Â Of course, she could hear every word of our conversation but she pretended not to. Â Once we were on the plane, I saw that she was reading The Appeal by John Grisham and was about half way through it. Â As the plane landed and we were all getting our stuff, I said to her, “By the way, I see you are reading The Appeal. Â Just wanted to let you know that they lose the appeal, the young attorney . . . (and I tell her the entire ending of the book.) Â I ended with a big smile and an “enjoy the book!” Â I didn’t ruin it for you, but I did have fun ruining it for her.Â
Have a great week! Â And . . . be smart – think before you act – do the right thing no matter what – say thank you – be courteous – be generous – work hard – do more than is expected – spend wisely!Â
Paperwork at the drive-up bank ATM is a big irritant for me too.
Here’s my other big tick off: I go to the store and buy a loaf of bread, a tub of margarine and a dozen eggs (which they always put into three bags and then encourage me to recycle) and they the cashier will ask me “Would you like some help out with that?” Nice except that I’m a healthy middle-aged guy, I’m 6’5″ and I weigh 265 lbs. Why won’t anyone use a little common sense before they spout off the company service policy? And why won’t these companies empower their employees to use a little common sense?
I took a deposit into the bank for my wife recently. I had cash and a deposit slip and I waited in line for a few minutes. When I went up to the window, I said hello to the teller and gave her my deposit. She never looked up at me. She stamped everything and as she handed me my receipt, she said, “Thank you_______” calling me by my wife’s name. Did I mention that I’m a 265 lb. male over 6 feet tall? This haze of unconsciousness that people do business from really ticks me off.
Skip
Larry, The rudest people I ever see are the ones coming out of my church. They can’t let anyone get in front of them when they walk out and the parking lot is a disaster because most of them don’t have a freakin clue what it means to be courteous. I just laugh as I let people get in front of me and remember what you always ask, “Does your view of God serve you well?” Most people don’t have a clue! It takes every ounce of restraint to not slap the crap out of some of these people. They are adults, they should know better. I love them but they sure piss me off.
I am usually not rude, but yesterday, I was quite rude to a woman who had parked so close to my parents’ driveway that no one could get in or out ( this happens alot and my mom is ill ). She apologized profusely and said she really just hadn’t been paying attention. I felt so badly for being a schmuck, that I told her I needed to apologize for giving her such attitude and that I should have given her the benefit of the doubt that she would have been understanding. I told her she was really a good role model and that she had not deserved what I had dished out.
The lesson?? I am trying to not judge others and watch my own behavior. Thank you for the timely reminder.
“I love them but they sure piss me off.” That’s pretty much my view of the world Brian. I do love people…….on the whole. Individually, however, I have issues with folks!
thanks for the comment!
Larry,
I’m with you on the rudeness of people at the drive-up ATM. I always make a point to have everything ready by the time I get to the ATM. If I still need to add something or sign something, I pull off to the side of the lot to finish up my math before pulling forward, letting people go by so they don’t have to wait for me. I can’t tell you how many times, though, I’ve done that and still had people drive past to get to the ATM and not be ready themselves, and make me wait. Or worse yet, when the line is several cars deep and they don’t even attempt to start prepping their business until they get to the ATM itself. What were they doing the entire time they were in line? Whistling Dixie?
Larry, You have to go out and by the comedy DVD by Brian Regan- I Walked On The Moon. Most of his act is how stupid and rude people are, especially at the airport. His people mover bit is a freakin riot!! Go to BrianRegan.com and order. Not that you need it but you may get some new material for your speech. I guarantee you will laugh your ass off or I will by you a cigar and a bottle of blue. You will thank me for this-Brian
Hey Brian, I agree with you almost 100% about church people. I live directly across the street from a church and a couple of their huge garbage cans blew into our yard over night. The only number I can reach over there is their daycare center. This is the 2nd time it happened. First time, hubby took them back. This time, after they had been in my yard all day and they had already gathered up the ones in their drive, I called over there to ask someone to collect them. I will be REALLY nice and not say what I want to call the girl at the daycare center that I talked to. She said I could bring them back over to their drive and they would get them. I said no, that someone can come collect them. She got snotty with me and said she couldn’t leave right that minute. I told her that was perfectly ok, just have someone come get them by the end of the day. Nothing happened. Anyway, this was a long drawn out mess. So, I dragged them behind our garage so they would not be an eyesore. They stayed back there about a month until my husband struck up a conversation with a guy that was collecting their garbage cans across the street at the church, and they finally got them. The guy said the girl I talked to never even told anyone about the 2 garbage cans. This is the same church where 2 guys drove out of their drive into ours, around our 1/2 circle, backed into our trees and then turned around and went out the way they entered back over to the church.
Sorry to rant, but arrrrrrgggh!!
Larry, I love reading your blogs, I haven’t got to your books yet, but I am curious. When will Big Spender come back on?? I have seen clips and am dying to see the whole show (even though, it will probably drive me crazy to see how stupid they are), but I was in that position once, also.
Keep on rockin’!!!
I type too fast. I know it should be buy. Sorry!!! B
I agree. Also, we need to have a little patience for some people who genuinely need it. Case in point: A couple of months ago, I was in the grocery store. A couple of real old guys were in the line in front of me, chatting a bit and fumbling with their wallets as each went through the line and basically holding things up, at least by the standards of younger people. As they were walking out, the 20-somethings at the register began making fun of those “pitiful old f***s.” I normally don’t blow. I blew. I knew these guys. One was a former sheriff of the county who on one occasion in the 60’s went in to a house ALONE where there was a barricaded murderer and brought the guy out. The other was a former U.S. Marshal who survived an attempt by organized crime on his life, and went after the bastards and put them away. These bag boys can only hope that they will be as good men. Had I screwed around like that, it would have been inexcusable. For those kinds of people, we need to make allowances.
I’m the lawyer who hands out copies of Shut Up to clueless clients. Now and then, the message gets through.
Keep your powder dry.
R
Feel Better, Larry?
I know that a good rant always makes me feel much better.
However, your rant is well justified, particularly the airport rant which not only happens at airports but at anywhere people que up. Further, people have gotten more rude over the past 10 years. Common courtesy is no longer taught to children, and words like: “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me (or pardon me)”, and other courtesies are like foreign languages to some people.
PS – Love the commercial!
Larry,
Some of the rudest people I see are driving on the streets and roads today. There are two kind that tic me off. Those that will not wait in the proper lane to exit, they try to squeeze in at the last minute … delaying the entire process. The other group are the ones that are driving 40 in a 60 MPH zone because they are yaking on their cell phone. Hang up and drive.
You are absolutely right. The world (or at least a fair number of its citizens) have become very self-centered. It does not bode well for the long term prospects of the world or its citizens.
Larry
Right on with the credit card commercials and the food thing.
However take 100% responsibility. You aren’t suppose to leave your bags. Also you’re the one who stepped out of line.You can bet when you step out of line people will move on without you.
Also did you have to stoop to her level and ruin her book? Ego-based behavior to be sure. Next time take the high road and let it go!
Practice what you preach…100% responsibility for your behavior.
Tess Marshall
I love that you ruined the ending of the book for her. I probably would have taken her carry on luggage and thrown it out of line so she would have to go get it. And then she could sit silently at the back of the plane and finish her book, with her bags by her feet.
Social Experiment (for rude people):
Next time you walk by someone (you actually know) say “Hi, How are you?” in passing. Check for two things, One: how many reply back with “fine” without asking how you are in return and Two: How many actually look at you while you respond (almost none is my experience) . I think you’ll be surprised. I ALWAYS stop and look them in the eyes for their response.
Reason: I actually care when I ask.
I think my personal favorite has to be when it’s cold/windy/raining and you’re waiting forever for a bus. It finally arrives, opens the door, and THAT’s when everyone in front of you starts fishing in their pockets and purses for the correct change for the fare.
Oh, and when you’re waiting and waiting for a subway train… then as the train finally arrives, some idiot shows up out of nowhere and elbows you out of the way to get on in front of you. And without fail, that idiot gets the only seat.
I was flying back to London and as we started to land one of the cabin crew said I needed to remove my music player earphones so I could hear any messages from the crew. Next to me was a guy who was fast asleep, she didn’t wake him up….what’s that all about!
Wow, you ruined a book because you were second instead of first?
Didn’t you still get your overhead room?
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
Tess, 6 feet isn’t “leaving” your bags, especially in response to an airline request.
Andrew, read the story again, the point isn’t getting overhead room. It’s about how rude people can be.
Larry, I think you may enjoy this story… 🙂
A few years back, I was at the grocery store and after being in line for over 15 minutes, had finally reached the front of the line. It should be noted that I had already allowed two people with few items to go ahead of me.
A middle aged lady holding 3 cans of cat food steps up behind me. I was just turning around to offer her to go ahead of me in line, when she rudely pushes in front of me and starts loading her 3 items on the conveyor belt, without asking me if this was acceptable.
(This grocery store has 3 “16 items or less” lanes, and she could have easily gone to any one of them. She chose to step in front of me instead.)
She barely glanced at me and said “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m in a huge rush”.
I smiled at her sweetly and said “That’s quite alright. You look very hungry”
I’ve never seen anyone blush so hard as she did. 🙂
Sylvie Fortin
Rich:
Ruining a book for someone is quite rude, indeed!
This “getting even” attitude, Larry has, isn’t making the world a better place.
Here’s an idea you can use in future. Turn to the person behind you and tell her or him what you’re about to do. Then ask that person if s/he would be willing to hold your place in line.
Most people will say yes even if they don’t want to.
If the person refuses, then turn to someone else, anyone else, and ask that person if s/he will fetch you the item you need, given that you’d lose your place in line otherwise.
Again, most people will do it.
Andrew – do me a favor. Don’t bother with any of this. Seriously, just don’t bother to post on my blogs any longer. I don’t mind disagreement – but you are disagreeable. Other people are even complaining.
I am not a guy you agree with. You don’t like much of what I have to say. You don’t like my blogs. Do all of us a favor and move on.
Thanks so much.
Larry
Wow, Larry. You don’t mind disagreement? Stating my own opinion wasn’t a “bother”, but if you only want people to agree with you here, I’ll go away.
Instead of using my comments to reenforce your views, you’d rather take the anti-American road and ask me to shut up.
I really thought you were better than that. It’s free speech that let’s you write books and speak in public. I’ll be quiet here, since you asked me to and it’s your blog, not mine. However, you won’t be able to stop me from speaking out elsewhere. I think I’ll shave my head and write a book called, “They Call it Work, not Slavery”.
Thanks for going away Andrew. You will be happier as will my other posters. And so will I.
By the way, Anti-American? That one is beyond my comprehension.
I believe in business. Profitability. I believe that the harder you work, the smarter you work, the more money you should be able to make. I don’t believe the government should take care of people or businesses who can take care of themselves. I believe actions have consequences. That is all about as American as you can get.
Slavery? I doubt you are in slavery. You are just a disgruntled, unhappy employee. That is obvious. I see many people, in fact most people, who give as little as they can to their employer, while wanting to pay them for a job they barely do.
You won’t find me agreeing with you here or on your other comments on the other postings. So, thanks for going away where your beliefs are more in alignment with the blog and the blogger.
I’m so glad you told her the ending. That was totally priceless.
I remember back in highschool. There was a phenomenon where someone would cut in line and soon a bunch of people would gravitate towards that person until it became like a cancerous tumor of insensitivity and that’s as mean as I’ll get with my description. One time I tried to fight it only to be ganged against with the most senseless excuses so I definitely empathize.
Although I think you’re great Larry, I have to take exception to the credit card comment. I use a credit card to pay for everything I can. Every purchase no matter how small.
But I always pay my bill in full after the statement cuts. I have never paid any interest at all on credit cards in the past 20 years. In return I get cash back on my purchases. Last year it amounted to about $1000.
Credit cards can be a good thing IF you have the discipline to manage your finances and the sense to not pay any interest.
Kind of a silly thing to ask but I’m new to the blog….am I getting reruns? it’s arrived in my mail Aug.4th and the date is March 17th on the post…….(I know you are busy busy busy Larry just wanted to make sure I’m getting the right thing Thanks.)
Larry –
I have all of your books and now buy them for gifts. I’m with you on the bank line annoyances. I make out my stuff before I ever leave the house. While I’m waiting in the grocery store line I make out my check with all but the amount so that I don’t hold anybody up. I am handicapped and walk with a cane with much difficulty. I would be too embarrassed to ask anyone for help, but many see me struggling with my purse, cane, basket, etc. while I put items on the belt, and seldom does any of the store personnel ever offer to help. But then after I pay, they want to know if I need help out to the car? I usually tip people for extra service, but it would be so nice if they actually noticed every now and then when someone needs it.