i’ve found over the past few weeks, the past couple of weeks, especially, i have witnessed and, unfortunately, been the target of some exceptionally mean behavior. it’s like everyone (well, not everyone, but you know what i’m saying) has something srsly lodged up their butts.
holly and i were talking about it tonight and we think it’s the economy. it has everyone all tied in up knots. and i feel it, too, trust me, my partner’s laid off [and even after a $XX-thousand wedding and eight years together (in may) i still can’t get her on my health insurance, but that’s a whole ‘nother story, i.e. rant, for a whole ‘nother day] and we’re feeling the pinch, too.
but you all know how i feel re: meanness. i say break the cycle. someone (who doesn’t even know this blog exists) was exceptionally nasty to me–i won’t say who but man, what an ass–today and insted of acting out, yes, i was nice to someone. (of course i cried when i got home, which was stupid. but i’ve had a helluva coupla weeks so i think it was a combination of things just weighing on me) but anyway, yes. i think being mean is unnecessary. i don’t get it. i don’t care what the hell you have going on in your life but don’t DUMP on other ppl, fer cryin out loud, you know?!
i don’t think ppl realize how much words can hurt. yes, our economy’s tanking. but we’re all in this together, you know? so let’s all try to cut each other some slack, bad economy or not. when your fingers start typing out grumpy words to a coworker, how ’bout takin a step back and reevaluating before you hit send? if you’re about to act out on someone you barely know (like maybe, um, me?) how about stopping for a moment before you morph into a jerk? go home, dislodge whatever crawled up your butt and died, get some sleep and wake up fresh in the morning. the. end.
lunch at 11:30 
Hi, Jessica,
I read your link on FB. I hear you.
I have to say, while people may be grumpy about the economy – and some folks certainly have a right to be grumpier than others – I believe it’s more symptomatic of their character. At the heart of it, there are two kinds of people: those who have empathy for others and those who only care about their own well-being. To survive and thrive, we have to be both, simultaneously.
We have to acknowledge our own needs, of course, and resolve them so that we are strong and better able to help others. But some people never get that. They are the same people who complain at work about management, but don’t have the balls to speak up when they see a problem. As long as they’re making their money and are OK, you’re on your own. If you can learn to distinguish these people, I think you’ll find that their shallowness is punishment enough for them.
It’s true sometimes we forget how to be kind to each other — life gets in the way, we wake up on the wrong side of the bed, the bus is late, it’s raining, etc. etc., but these are all silly excuses. Every day is a gift, no matter what. It’s been so foggy here lately, and (as I mentioned) I do feel like I’m always at work, but! on my morning walks to my bus I see at least 3 dogs and I crank up the ole ipod and listen to some yummy bluegrass and somehow the sun is shining even if I don’t feel it on my face. You know? Things will get better, because they have to.
Maybe it’s an SF thing, but tonight I bought a loaf of walnut bread and brie and the nice guy at Bi-Rite (oh, Bi-Rite, how j’adore) said how they’d all discussed earlier how that bread was the best ever, and the other people at the — crowded — counter agreed, and then he confided that I should toast it and maybe drizzle a little bit of honey on top of that brie and yeah, it’s the little things like that just break that darn cycle of mean-ness.
Keep it up ladies. xox
Seriously, that bread sounds damn awesome; I might have to go to SF just for the bread!