Y’know, it really pisses me off how ungrateful and unappreciative people can be sometimes. Whether it’s someone at work you try and help out and don’t even hear a thank you from, or the bum on the street who asks you for bills instead of change or more once you’ve already donated, it all pisses me off.
Now, most of you know that I work for the state of Hawaii in juvenile corrections. And when I work, I’d like to think that it’s pretty mellow, easy going, and sometimes even fun. I mean, I don’t want to work at a place that sucks, so I try to make it not suck – if not for the juveniles’ benefit, for mine. So when we go out of our way to make it not suck for them, such as making what little tasks and chores they have to do easier or not so difficult for them, or bring in snacks or a movie and all they do is complain that they’re bored, don’t like whatever type of soda it is, or don’t want to watch the movie because they don’t think they’ll like it, that gets me madder than Barry Bonds during a ‘roid rage.
I mean, here we are, as counselors, trying to make their days better, and all they do is bitch and whine about everything. Here THEY are, imprisoned, and complaining because it sucks or they’re bored? Oh, hell no! I don’t tolerate that crap for one second. That is a complete slap in the face to us, the workers. We don’t have to bring in movies or snacks, or many of the other things we do. We don’t have to be cool to them and try to make their chores and tasks enjoyable and easier. We don’t have to give them a break and let the rules slide once in a while. We don’t have to be nice and not get them in trouble every time a rule is broken. But we do. It’s easier on us, easier on them, and puts everybody in a better mood. But when I do all that for people, and all I hear back is bitching and moaning about how much even that sucks? Fuck that! Beggars can’t be choosers! When someone tries to help you out, you don’t complain about it. You take what they offer and appreciate it.
Imagine if during the opening scene of Cliffhanger the chick Stallone was trying to save said, “That hand is too large, hairy, and disgusting. And what is that on there? Dirt? or shit? Give me your other one.” That’d be crap. Well, the movie was crap, and she ended up plummeting to her death anyway, but I’m sure you see my point.
The same goes for if I’m busting my ass, helping out a coworker, doing 95% of the few responsibilities and tasks this coworker has to do, and after all that I don’t even hear a thank you. I don’t expect a trophy or an award, but some simple acknowledgment of going out of my way, doing HIS job while he sits on his ass all day would be good enough. Just a simple, “hey, thanks for doing that” would even be enough. But instead, just like many of these immature children, nothing. Not even an acknowledgment of “bye” when we all leave at the end of the shift. Bullshit.
I suppose now is the time when I say I’m not going to do that type of stuff anymore, blah blah blah. But I can’t promise that, because I’ve tried. And for some reason I always end up giving people the benefit of the doubt, and help them out the next time as well. So I’m sure I’ll do it again, and get pissed off again when I don’t hear any magic “please”s or “thank you”s. But you can bet that I will think twice, and, if I’m not in the extra outgoing mood, will lift a finger to help out, but it’s not going to be the one they want to see.
Seriously. Being grateful – is that so hard?
Slapbacks