My kids are at the zoo. {Shout out to the Gpa & Gma! Holla!!!}
I’m guessing they’ll see a few of our relatives there, specifically in the orangutan exhibit. No, I’m not an evolutionist, but boy those animals sure look like my long lost Uncle Emmett, with less hair.
2 shots of public humiliation with that, please!
While the kids are at the zoo, I’m sitting here looking for inspiration at another zoo of sorts. Barnes & Noble Cafe. Have you seen some of the people who frequent this joint? Me included. This is great content just waiting to be written!
One table across the way has caught my eye & ear. Allow me to briefly set the scene. A girl, probably 19, skinny with a very low-cut scarlet red shirt. A boy, who looks like Twilight’s Jacob (and seems to know it). And then there’s the gal that completes the trio. I’ll call her Wanda. She’s middle-aged. Short unkempt hair, glasses & a classic pair of mom jeans. {I think they saw me staring, cuz they just left} Oh well, more wi-fi for me! Just kidding.
The two youngsters (I can say that cuz I’m in my mid-thirties) Scarlet & Jacob pull out their PC laptops. Not even MacBooks! That should’ve been a clue that something was about to go very wrong. They spend the next 40 minutes explaining to Wanda how Facebook works. They hold nothing back. Scarlet even decides to set Wanda up with a FB account, on the spot. How thoughtful.
While I’m trying to find inspiration from heaven, and look completely interested in what I’m not doing, I hear bits & pieces of their conversation. I can not believe how condescending Scarlet’s teaching methods come across. And I’m shocked that Wanda lets it happen! Wanda even dares touch the laptop much to the loud chagrin of Scarlet. The entire B&N Cafe hears, “Don’t move it like that! Unless you want to buy me a new one!” Jacob chuckles. Wanda doesn’t.
Why am I telling you this? Because I’m Scarlet. Not literally. But I act like Scarlet & her sidekick Jacob, specifically with my kids. I know I do. Even in public, I talk down to them like I’m the Great and Powerful Oz possessing of all the world’s knowledge and they just arrived from Kansas with their little dog.
I often resent the “why?” I get asked at least 27 times a day.
Even though these two were actually taking time with her, I felt so bad for Wanda. She just wanted to learn how to use FaceBook. I don’t think she ordered up a shot of arrogance & public humiliation with her tutorial.
Next time someone needs our help let’s remember a few things :
- I am not Oz. I am not superior because I have knowledge.
- The person (including our kids & parents) are not stupid. Everyone deserves respect.
- There are still things we need to learn. I think we reap what we sow. Let’s sow patience & understanding when we want to flaunt how much they don’t know!
So yeah, I feel like I pried into the lives of strangers. I kind of did. But I learned an important lesson during my time of people-watching at the local Barnes & Noble Zoo. When we talk down to people – our kids, the waitress, our parents, our co-workers, we do nothing to lift ourselves up. When we patronize, we look ridiculous & I can guarantee our help will not be solicited twice. Let’s teach the way we want to be taught, with patience, kindness, and encouragement.
I’d love to hear your perspective. Have you ever been on the receiving end of public humiliation?
Shine On Sisters!
