As Christmas Approaches
Posted by: From Arkansas in Are You Kidding Me?, Charities, Commentary on Dec 08 2008
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As Christmas approaches, attitudes toward others, which should be getting more compassionate and giving, are hardly that. People are more rude and snotty as the days get closer to Christmas. It is at this time of year when those of you who do not think about these things all year, should be evaluating how you treat people and what type of attitude you have been bringing forth to all. It may surprise many to find out that they have been rude, obnoxious and just plain thoughtless. What the heck is happening?
Years ago, when I was growing up, people cared about others so much more than they do these days. But today, people are wrapped up in their cell phones, driving down the road (pet peeve) and pushing in lines to get there first (another pet peeve). Each of these acts are so selfish and self centered. It is likely that these people do not see it that way. Why must attitudes get worse during this time of joy and expectation? It need not be this way.
On a blog I read recently, she talked about going to a bookstore where there at the cashier was a place to donate a book for a child who needed them. The cashier politely asked her if she wished to donate one of the books she was buying. The lady in question had a reason for buying those books so she declined. At that point, the cashier became hostile. She threw the pen and receipt to be signed directly at her and then thrust the books and the receipt at her without even the bag she should have received to carry them out. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? With that attitude, you would think that this cashier was promoting that charity all by herself and that she would get points for each donation.
We all have our own pet charities. Some of us just cannot afford to give that much right now. Others are helping by doing crafts or giving food. This cashier obviously made an assumption she had no right to make. This is not an isolated incident. Apparently, this attitude is extremely common. SHAME ON EACH OF YOU WHO DO THAT!!! Why on earth would anyone want to give to a charity with that type of attitude showing? And that cashier, as well as all the others with a similar attitude, have done more harm than good for the charities they seem to want to help. Get a clue, people. It is NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS where the people give or even if they give. It is simply none of your business.
Now I am all for giving books to kids who need them. We are sadly lacking in education for our young ones as it is. However, to stand there and act like the person is not doing their part when they just might have given a huge donation somewhere else, is reprehensible. No one should be subjected to that type of action just because they did not give at that time. You just do not know when or if they had previously given. It is NOT personal.
This is definitely the season for giving. Actually, that season is all year long if only people would wake up and see that. But to treat someone like that is awful. That employee should, at the very least, be called on that action. It is possible that particular chain might fire her. She would surely deserve it.
On the other hand, it appears to me that the cashier has no concept of the word “giving” or she would not have acted like that in the first place. That alone is a sorry testimonial for the way things are going in this country which was founded on Christian principles and charity. We need that concern and attitude back in our land. We need to have giving hearts. I realize not all people are like this but the reality is that more and more are just like that. Are you being charitable if you scream at the guy in the next car that he is an idiot? Compassionate if you are the one with the cell phone in your ear while driving since you have little control over the vehicle while you are doing that? You are endangering lives, fool! Giving if you can’t hold your temper long enough to get through a checkout line? Compassionate if you see someone fall and can’t be bothered to help? Those are the attitudes that I have seen recently myself.
Now is the right time to get into a giving, compassionate attitude and then never lose it again. Be a giver this year regardless of the gift. Perhaps a smile to someone you don’t know would be nice. That costs you nothing unless your face is going to break. I know some people who might have that problem. It is the season of giving. Give!!!!
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4 Comments
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I agree. I, too, am sad about the lack of compassion in many people these days. People have forgotten that giving does NOT mean going into bankruptcy, putting people down and shoving things in their faces. People have forgotten what it is to give themselves. It is sad.
It is sad. The problem is that, like you said, people have forgotten that giving is not about buying more than the next guy and getting into debt. They also have not figured out that its too commercial. My toy blog gets a huge number of hits every day because its all about pleasing the little darlings. Maybe someone needs to teach them just how great they have it.
Thanks for your visit and input.
oh it’s incredibly sad. did you hear about the recent black friday tragedy in CA where a walmart janitor got literally trampled to death by people lined up outside the store, clamoring to get in?? i agree it’s a huge tragedy, but maybe this economy will teach us all some good after all… things are not as important as people! it’s all just stuff
It IS all just stuff but people believe that if they don’t GET the stuff, it will not be available for them later. Oh I understand to a certain degree why people go out for this black Friday thing. The prices are awesome. However, it has been my experience that most stores only offer a few of that item at that price. If you are not one of the first to get there, you lose, regardless of how much you want it.
This is simply not worth it as is testified by the young man who lost his life at a store simply because he was in the way of the people who tramped him. And what on earth could be THAT important? A Wii or whatever else is so popular. I guarantee none of it is worth someone’s life. NONE OF IT.
Thank you for your input. We all need to check our hearts for coldness.