Barney Was Wrong: You're Not So Special

This is for everyone who insists on cutting drivers off on the highway. This is to the plumber who never shows. This is for the doctor who thinks two hours in the waiting room is reasonable. This is to the moms who hold up the carpool lane. This is for the guy with 20 items in the 12 items or less line. This is for the smokers who stand 25 feet outside of the smoking area. And this is for anyone who thinks they don't have to follow the rules like the rest of us.

I'm afraid the land of PCism and Barney has created a bit of a debacle. All the junk about everyone is special? It means you're no worse than anyone else. It does not - I repeat does not - mean you are better than anyone else.

All in one week I waited through five light cycles while cars cut off various drivers in front of me. I waited five days for a plumber who never returned my calls. I waited for a doctor's appointment I'd had scheduled for six months. And I wasted morning after morning in the carpool lane behind the idiot mom in front of me who stopped twenty-five feet shy of the appropriate stopping point so her precious darling wouldn't have to walk those same twenty-five feet in the gorgeous, sunny, 72 degree weather.

I'm exhausted. I'm exhausted from following up, fixing up, and waiting for all those people who think their lives are so much more important than mine, so much more important that they can waste my time at every turn. I know, I know. The doctors are under the gun to see more patients because of the evil insurance companies. The plumber is good at plumbing not customer service. And that mom might be new to carpool. I don't care. I don't care. I really don't. Because ultimately it isn't really about any of that.

What it is about is civility, rules and respect. It's not that hard. Wait your turn. Watch the clock. Don't take more than you can use. Think about someone - anyone - other than yourself. I know times are tough. But they are only made tougher when selfishness rules the day.

Poor old Sarah Palin is the perfect example of this dilemma. You know, if Sarah Palin wasn't so full of herself, she wouldn't be making such a fool of herself. A book full of lies. A tour full a disappointed fans. A career built on falsehood and a wink. A wardrobe, travel, and who knows what else paid for with money she helped herself to despite having no right to. You must think an awful lot of yourself, Ms. Palin, and very little of those constituents you claim to care for, stealing from them like that.

Someone told Ms. Palin she was special just a few too many times. Read a paper, sweetie. Keep your facts straight. Look around. You're part of this world. Not above it. Not even an inch. I'm begging you. Set a good example and give it up, please. You're just another hockey mom with her share of mistakes. Look at your knocked up teen and your centerfold almost-son-in-law. Geez Louise. Palin is the perfect example of someone whose life would be much better if it were lived on the ground and off the high horse.

I'm a regular gal, just like the rest of you. There's stuff I'm good at and even more stuff I'm not so good at. I've had my share of triumphs and made my share of mistakes. I want to get home to make dinner too. I have a job to do too. I have a child I love too. That's just it. We're all the same. No better. No worse. The same. Barney was wrong. You're not so special. So get back in line. Read that sign. Watch the time. Stay in your lane. Count your items. Slow down. Wait your turn. And, please, please learn the rules before you enter the carpool line.

 

 

 

Follow Jenny Block on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Jenny_Block

Comments

[slvrfox857]

12:24 PM on 12/02/2009

grounded. I pressed "post" accidental­ly.

[slvrfox857]

12:24 PM on 12/02/2009

I like this. I actually wrote the same thing on my blog a few weeks ago. But I forgot to mention how tired I get of all the commercial­s talking about getting the comfort, style, whatever that you "deserve." Whatever happened to "you deserve what you earn?" Whatever happened to fame being the result of positive accomplish­ment? I think if Helen Keller or Eleanor Roosevelt were busy today trying to make the world a better place, they would be shunted to the back of the bus because they lack glamour or beauty. Can you imagine what faux celebs like Sharon Osborne would say about them? I'm becoming your fan today, Jenny. Please help us stay

[ArthurTwoShedsJackson]

02:01 PM on 11/30/2009

Well done Jenny. For me, this kind of supremely self-absor­bed, self-impor­tant, my way or the highway behavior leads back to the uber-sanct­imonious brands of xtianity out there. It is the singlemost reason for our societal ills over the last 8+ year

[chrislafeken]

06:58 AM on 11/29/2009

This is definately one of my favorite blogs I have read in a long time. I completely agree, and although it hurts to admit this, most of my generation lacks the respect for fellow beings. Turning 18 this December, and I'm feeling much better I won't be associated with the disrespect­ful people anymore, because at this point in my life I can simply walk away. Though there will always be those occasional soccer moms talking on the phone, driving with one hand, while not paying attention that they are swerving and children screaming in the back seat with no seat-belts­. Most likely they have that same Bush/Chene­y sticker on their cars as well.

[dctackett]

02:19 PM on 12/01/2009

they come in all ages, shapes and sizes

[Humanistic]

10:32 PM on 11/28/2009

Can we add: Stop talking all the time on your cell phone while walking around amongst other people. Smile to one another and recognize each other's presence. Don't always be trying to get ahead of someone, but slow down and yield, whether as a pedestrian or a driver. Compliment someone who is doing a good job, no matter how prosaic it is, just to make them feel good. Look at that scruffy-lo­oking homeless person in the eyes and give them a handout with a smile. Let's talk to our neighbors more often, instead of watching that TV show. Listen to children and show them we care. Ease up on that breakneck schedule so we don't get crazy. Make something with our hands to give to others, instead of buying a gift.

[dctackett]

02:22 PM on 12/01/2009

there's a lot that could be added to that list... yours are good.

[TooLooze]

06:16 PM on 11/27/2009

One of my personal favorites is the person who empties their cart in the grocery lot and places it on one of the parking grid lines between other cars. Especially when the cart catcher is three or four spots away. Of course, they are the people that still have the Bush/Chene­y bumper sticker, because they are too lazy to remove it yet.

[sierraseven]

11:39 PM on 12/05/2009

And one step beyond in selfishnes­s: not the first one that leaves a cart in a handicappe­d space - but the second and third dolts who decide that if one's left there, might as well leave theirs too.

[Michelle Duquette]

06:14 PM on 11/27/2009

Awesome - the exact rant in my head repeated ad nauseam thousands of times a week.... We, as a society, have lost our sense of humility and considerat­ion for others. Unfortunat­ely, we have gained a serious sense of entitlemen­t in its place. Why? What have you done to deserve to be treated better than anyone else?

[Johnagain]

05:37 PM on 11/27/2009

Excellent observatio­ns. I agree 100%. I think I missed the true 'me generation­' by just enough years to be in a position to see how selfish so many people can be, and contrast it to a slightly less crude era in American history. Driving here in the deep South provides an excellent study in the effects of self-absor­ption and utter lack of concern for others. I'm convinced that this attitude accounts for the otherwise inexplicab­le affinity that the majority of white adults in the South have for Sarah Palin. They see themselves in her. And sadly, they are very accurate in seeing the similarity­.