November IWSG Post
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And what thanks do they get? Today, it feels like the bare minimum.
A food bank volunteer...a volunteer...told me she was cussed out over the phone when she told the caller they didn't do deliveries. I wish I could say I was surprised.
Of course this is a great rant, but you may be wondering, what does THAT have to do with my writer insecurities?
It has to do with insecurities because times like this are a bold reminder of one of my very biggest insecurities...dealing with asshats in a public forum. If you're a writer and you put yourself out there publicly, you subject yourself to asshattedness. The higher the profile you get, the more asshats you'll attract.
On the bright side, my return to social work is making me almost immune to asshattery. Go ahead, be rude in the comments. I doubt you can even make me twitch.
November 5 question When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way?
I thought I'd be living beach side with helicopter transport by now. Boy was I way off!!! Some months, I wouldn't even be able to buy myself a taxi.
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The awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove and we thank you!!!
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Yup, there are jerks like that out there. And people who not only want a handout, but want it delivered.
ReplyDeleteHumans can be amazing...both in good and bad ways!
DeleteYou sound like me, ha. I always say that it's completely impossible to hurt my feelings at this point!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to find behavior that surprises me at this point in my life, that's for sure.
DeleteSometimes things have to get worse before they can get better, but at last it seems as if the tide is turning.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And the outpouring of generosity of the community and people stepping up to volunteer...definitely more good on this earth than bad.
DeleteUgh. When someone is rude to me, I try to take a deep breath and let it go, remind myself that maybe they're having a bad day, etc. Believe me, it does not work as often as I would like, but I hope I get points for at least trying. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I always remind myself that they may have a very high ACE score. Be patient.
DeleteI love this post. LOL
ReplyDeleteI hope things get better for you at your day job soon.
Me too. I miss writing. It feels like it's been one "unprecedented" time after another for the last seven years.
DeleteFor the last 14 years Rick (my husband) and I have been living in Mexico (near Puerto Vallarta). The vast majority of the local population is kind and thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteThe Snow Birds (US and CA folks) come to our area to enjoy the mild weather (November to March. My goodness they can be rude!
Rude people are in every group. That is the lesson, I believe. We (I) can't take every rude comment personally.
DeleteYou end up dealing with those kinds of people everywhere!
ReplyDeleteSo true!!! It's taken me decades to realize it's not personal.
DeleteI hear that! With our big media launch lately, that's been my #1...not fear, but the thing I'm least excited about? (I could probably have used AI to find a better word for that, LOL!) Anyhow, I'm sending huge doses of sunshine and cheese your way while you deal with the insanity!
ReplyDeleteYour words are perfect! The reality is every single one of us will get some level of negative response. It's unavoidable because even a near-saint gets flack. Just be ready for it; it's inevitable.
DeleteAshhats are everywhere, and it takes so little to be kind to others. I don't understand.
ReplyDeletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/the-gift-of-kittens
Let's assume the asshats have a high ACE score and love them as we ignore their hate. :)
DeleteSome people are always jerks. Others are jerks when they're under stress.
ReplyDeleteVery good point. I had a call from a lady about a year ago who cussed me and wished me DOGE'ed (get the government ax) and after a few days of helping her through a hardship, she apologized and explained that she'd worked her whole life and hated having to ask for help.
DeleteSocial work definitely prepares you for dealing with difficult people. Too funny and so true about not being able to afford a taxi. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a training ground in human nature, that's for sure.
DeleteAnonymously Esther O'Neill, East of the Sun no signal, no google account. , Californian cousins, we follow your news, of course - . Only rival shutdown we could offer is the Birmingham ( UK) bin strike. Visiting family in Brum ? Take some rubbish away. Visitors from Brum ? They'll bring more. National government hasn't noticed, but they wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteWelcome traveler!
DeleteI want a ride on your helicopter if you ever get one.
ReplyDeleteIt's a date!!
DeletePeople in my neck of the woods have been incredible kind lately, but I'm well aware it can flip and moment. The goodness and nastiness are both so infectious.
ReplyDeleteThere has been more good people than bad. But the squeaky wheels get the attention and stick in my crawl the most. But I think that's how we do most things. We have blessing after blessing and the first stumble, we're raging against the universe over our bad luck.
DeleteSo sad the beachside home and travel by helicopter haven't materialized yet hehe. May you encounter zero mean people tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad. I'd really like to have them both. LOL
DeleteThe rest of my week was mean-free, I'm happy to say.
Some people have a way overdeveloped sense of entitlement--and then there are those who will suffer in silence rather than ask for the help they desperately need. I continue to believe there are more good people than bad, but the last decade has tested that belief like never before.
ReplyDeleteAnd the mean people can be found in every group and economic level. And yes, the good far outweigh the bad. I believe the biggest takeaway from all of my whining is that we have to learn to focus on the good. I will have ten wonderful reviews and one nasty one and I'll let that one bad one ruin my week. Why do we do that?
DeleteI'm not surprised at the asshat yelling at the food pantry workers. My daughter-in-law coordinates food pantries and non=profits to make sure everyone who needs it has access to food. Her stories are very disheartening. But good for you for the thick skin.
ReplyDeleteI always remind myself that the people who are thankful are just quieter. The asshats of this world really enjoy being on platforms. Tell your daughter I'm sending hugs.
DeleteYour response to the question was great. I loved it. And you are so right about the asshats. It's a thing. It must make them feel superior to put someone else down. And good on you for doing social work. You're adding stars to your already full crown.
ReplyDeleteHugs
I think you hit the bail on the proverbial head! It probably does make people feel superior and maybe they feel so low, any bit of superiority is a weird boost.
DeleteI can't say I'm surprised your friend had to deal with that, but on the bright side, at my day job at Salvation Army, people have come out to help people so they don't go hungry.
ReplyDeleteThe outpouring of help stepping up and donations has been amazing!
DeleteLove the cookies meme;)
ReplyDeleteMe too!
DeleteOh hon, rant away about asshattery. I'm here for it. In fact, I hope you heard my applause.
ReplyDeleteLove ya.
I did hear your applause and I glowed in it!
DeleteHope your day is serene and filled with kind people.....and cookies:)
ReplyDeleteHugs
That sounds perfect!
DeleteAww...meeting people is like that at times.
ReplyDelete