Thursday, November 5, 2009
I don't get it
I am sitting at the car place waiting on my car and marvelling at what I have witnessed. The dealership has a nice little waiting area with nice chairs and some free snacks and drinks. I have watched one woman down a latte, a muffin, two juice boxes, a bag of popcorn and then shove some goodies into her purse for later I guess. I suppose I don't know for sure that she is not homeless or starving, so I should probably give her the benefit of the doubt, but the incident did bring up a little question in my mind. Why is it that people seem to take more than they need (or even want) when whatever it is they are taking does not really belong to them? The extra office supplies from work, the extra refills on drinks when you only paid for one glass, the 5 bottles of "free" water when you can only drink one at a time? Is this some innate human hoarding tendency? Is this some fear of not having enough? Or is this greed and entitlement, plain and simple?
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6 comments:
I've witness similar things. I do have to admit when we paid a TON for our cross-country train rides in September that we did take the waters that they had put in our "room" for later. That I would call our feeling entitled. If we had to pay for them we wouldn't have. I do not take extra bottles of water when they are being given away other places such as on campus on hot days. IF I need one then one is enough.
Logan ran a fun run last month and I saw several parents (and "entitled" kids) stocking up on waters, gatorades, cookies, fruit, etc. afterward. That really annoyed me especially since not all the children had finished the races and would be hoping for their treat afterward. Hopefully events like this account for the greedy.
I think I'd chalk it up to greed and entitlement.
And maybe thoughtlessness.
I really think sometimes people figure if it's there, it's free. They don't remember someone had to pay for it.
I've often wondered the same thing. I'm related to someone like that...with her it's definitely a feeling of entitlement. And it baffles me. Completely. Where did this sense of entitlement come from? She's done little her entire life to benefit anyone else...not even her own kids. I know I'm sounding harsh, and you probably know who I'm talking about. But her attitude of entitlement especially when coupled with the way she looks down on others drives me crazy!
Then again, maybe I shouldn't be so quick to cast stones at others. I admit that Rich occasionally brings home paper from the office. He does it because he works so much at home and prints out stuff here on our printer. But still...it's not like he counts how many pieces he uses and returns any if he hasn't used it all, you know.
Debi-
I think there is a pretty big difference between bringing home paper for work stuff and shoving 5 juice boxes in your purse! And since I know how much y'all do give to others, I am pretty sure it is all going to come out in the karmic wash!
What's wrong with having 5 glasses of water available? have you seen th elevel of service available these days, even at so called fine establishments? you have to get extra, or you could die of thirst...... but, we shouldn't expect much, they are working for 2.50 an hr or something like that.
Jeremy - Always the cynic! And sarcastic, too - love it!
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