This is topic OT? Reached my breaking point - Major rant. in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.


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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Took my daughter to the theatre the other night to watch Superman Returns.

Cost me $8.50 a ticket...and concessions another $20....so had roughly $37+ into the evening not counting gas.

We walk into the theatre it was playing in with our goodies and discover we are the only 2 people in that particular movie theatre (it's a Celebration Cinema and has like 20 theatres in the building).

We are delighted thinking we have a private screening with no interruptions...and take a seat midway up the stadium seating - very cushy, comfortable seats.

Well, as the previews start about 5 white folks come in and sit at the bottom....then, 4 young black teens (2 girls/2 boys) come in and go all the way to the top and sit above us.

Does race matter? No...just want to set the visual scene here - - mental picture.

So we're enjoying the movie....about halfway through I hear a loud "snap" and look behind me to see/hear the black teens laughing loudly and messing with a seatback that was obviously broke/damaged.

I ignored it and thought the seat was probably defective - or perhaps they broke it...but then, they started yak-ing fairly loudly, laughing etc.

I turn around and see one boy walking back and forth along the isles between the seat talking on their cell phones (the pre movie cinema ad went to great lengths to tell patrons to turn off their cell phones and be quiet.)

The other boy is beginning to slide on his butt down the rail of the stadium seating section stairs - and then walks back up to the top.

I had enough.

I screamed across the theatre..."HEEEEEYYYYY! KNOCK IT OFF!"

They ignored me and kept laughing and blabbing amongst themselves.

I jumped up (much to my daughters dismay) and bolted up to the top.

I got in their face and yelled, "TURN YOUR PHONES OFF NOW AND SHUT UP!"

They shut off their phones. I then said, "You guys quit making noise and knock it off or your out of here."

Then they both started laughing hysterically as I turned away.

I came back and said, "That's it - you guys are outa here - you'll see!"

Then, I walk out. As I'm leaving the theatre through a tunnel/isle just under where they're seating I look up (defensively) and sure enough one of those punks was hanging over the railing looking at me. I thought he might spit on me as I was walking out. I stared him down as I was leaving thinking if he hawked one up on my head there'd be a funeral the next day.

I get a manager and tell him what's going on and tell them to bounce them out or give me a refund.

He get's a security guard and comes into the theatre and pulls them out. I was pleased.

But then they come back in...and go sit up at the top....obviously they just got a warning. They didn't make any more noise, but they were a distraction as they kept walking around up above...and I kept wondering if they'd sneak up behind me and knife me or something while I was engrossed in the movie...anyway, the point being I missed part of the movie and then the rest I couldn't concentrate because I was ****ed they let them come back and wondered what they might pull next.

After the movie, I figured I'd had enough...I went up to their main desk and got the manager. I told him I wanted a refund for the movie...He tried to tell me they always warn people before bouncing them...but I said, "Listen, if you have troublemakers you should get rid of them immediately out of respect for the rest of your patrons...I paid a lot of money for what I thought was a nice, relaxing evening out with my daughter and the movie was ruined because of them. I didn't enjoy my viewing experience....I want a refund."

He looked ****ed but came back with two free movie passes.

I'm just amazed at the lack of respect to elders that some kids show these days. I reached my breaking point and decided if I don't get the service that I expect - and give others - then I'm not paying.

Thanks for allowing me to rant.

[ July 21, 2006, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 

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Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
 
Good rant Todd. It is that one word, "respect". Severely lacking
in today's world, unfortunately.
 

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Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
 
There is a sense of entitlement out there that disheartens and unnerves me.

And like Bill says, a lack of respect and consideration.

I do think parents need to pull the reigns alittle tighter, and that people need to require more of others, and themselves in their day to day conduct.

There is a severe lack of consequences out there.

[ July 21, 2006, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: Janette Balogh ]
 

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Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
 
Don't get me started on "kids today". The problem is half the adults are just as bad. Where do they get their role models? Watching these reality shows on tv? Let's see what a jerk we can act like to get attention!

Manners? Virtually non-existant.It takes time and effort to raise well-behaved children. Most parents are too busy to even put down the remote or cell phone or computer mouse these days to teach their children how to act in public.

One of my daughter's favorite shows is SUPERNANNY. Why? Because she says it makes her look better. LOL It's not that the kids are so bad on these shows, the parent can't be bothered to take the time to discipline them. Once the parents figure out that you have to teach kids how to behave properly, voila! - the kid starts behaving. Funny thing about that!

Similar but seperate rant...when did kids start calling grownups by their first name????? Unless I say otherwise and you're over 5' tall, my name is Mrs. Purcell.
 

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Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
 
I like that you called them on their blatant disrespect and got the management involved. I'm sure theatres have their rules, but "a warning" just doesn't seem to be enough and it doesn't look like it did much good.
It's sad that there are so many kids running around acting like this! AND scary! I MIGHT have done what you did with the managment, but I don't think I would have confronted the kids. I would have been scared they would have lashed out at me or my family. Now days, you have to be careful!
 

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Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
 
No offense but why did you try to deal with it yourself instead of just going to the manager and lodging a complaint? You were very lucky that you just had to worry about them knifing you and they actually didn't. Black, white or green remember that teenagers are a group that haven't really got their full senses yet. Particularly when you had your little girl with you. I think you should rethink your strategy next time. It's not worth it. Again, no offense. Just something to think about.
 

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Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
 
Ok, just for another point of view (and don't throw anything at me), even though they started it...you didn't exactly treat them with respect either, did you?

The point is this, as soon as you scream at somebody (justified or not) you will not get cooperation in return. It's not that I don't understand how they made you feel, or that I want to excuse the teens' behaviour, they were very rude.

Years ago, I would have reacted as you did, but today I would walk up to them and calmly explain how they make me feel and ask them to please let me enjoy the movie. I would have made sure I look them in the eyes as I talk, even slightly touch one's arm maybe. It may not have helped, but then again, there are very surprising reactions from teenager when they are treated respectfully, deserved or not. Being yelled at is probably what they get from every side all day long anyway. We, as the adults, have to demonstrate to them how people treat each other in a civilised manner. How else will they know?
 

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Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
 
Kimberly, I had a real eye-opener when my friend and her 9 yr. old daughter were here.

She is not taking the effort to parent.
I was more annoyed with my friend than her daughter! Absolutely no back bone, and teaching her all the wrong kind of lessons.
I became the main parent the week they were here. (folks out in public actually thought she was my child! hahhaa)

I set boundaries, and was quite alot harder on her than her mum. Ironically, she absolutely adored me.

Kids actually WANT boundaries and dicipline. In they're eyes, that tranlates to being a very important form of LOVE and caring.

[ July 21, 2006, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Janette Balogh ]
 

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Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
 
Todd, I don't understand why you had to point out that the good kids down front were white and the bad kids in the back were black? Not to mention the uptight guy in the middle with his embarassed daughter, he was white too.
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
Ken,

I ask my elf the same question. Why do we have "Black Entertainment Television" and a "Congressional Black Caucus"? Why does Bill Cosby find it necessary to specifically address "black families" concerning the raising of their children?

Why is it necessary for anyone to mention color at all? And if nationally known organizations and a famous comedian can do it, why call Todd on it? (just scratching my head)

.
 

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Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
 
It is a racial thing. . . they are disrespectfull
 

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Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
 
Settle down, honkies.
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
Just out of curiosity, when George Jefferson referred to Tom Willis as "honky", why did white people laugh instead of rioting in the streets with demands that CBS cancel the show?
 

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Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
 
I too am curious as to why the point of making a distinction between the two groups...in my world, life is quite simple if looked at from the perspective of you are part of the problem or the solution...to point out race is nothing short of racist and in my opinion, that makes you part of the problem, not the solution and all efforts on your part to admonish youth of today, went out the window and will be ignored as your entire rant has a racial flair to it and most ppl. today really want to get away from that thinking as it's dangerous and not productive to a healthy tomorrow.....to become the solution, the path to the manager should have been taken first, then if met w/results unfavorable to you, then demand a refund and leave, noting managements lack of action and simply find another theatre to frequent, can't imagine impact upon your children, results of that night will linger in their heads for a long time to come, trust me, kids know.........
 

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Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
 
Black or white, disrespect comes in all colors. The story probably would have been better accepted here without the notation of the race, Todd, but I still think you had a right to complain to the theatre about the disturbance. I just don't think I would have confronted the kids, no matter WHAT color they were!
 

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Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
 
Hey, a lot of kids are disrespectful these days and it has nothing to do with color. I would have handled the situation a lot differently though.
First, I am not the kids’ keeper, nor do I want to be. So, there's no reason for me to address the kids. They obviously thought they were doing nothing wrong.
Second, since when am I responsible for the actions of strangers in a commercial establishment? If the establishment, doesn’t meet the standards I would expect I leave. If I paid in advance for a service, I would demand and get a refund. Then I would follow up with a nice letter to the corporate office.
Back to the kids, unfortunately, children aren't what they used to be and I don't blame the kids too much From what I see, most kids are raising themselves with no proper supervision because their parents are too busy working to keep up with the Jones. And don’t get me going on teachers or other adult figures, because most of them are about as useful as boobs on a bullfrog.
The problem starts with what I see in the younger generations of parents and, sorry ladies, it's mainly the moms. Kids who weren't raised properly to begin with are now getting married because all friends are. Next, the newlyweds go out buy the new house and cars, because their friends are. Then they are they're popping out babies like candy from a Pez dispenser, because their friends are. Are you seeing a pattern yet?
Then, since the parents are never home, they buy their kids affection with cool toys like video games that kill people and ipods, computers and cable TV where these actions are considered normal and acceptable.
After a few years with this starter marriage the divorce kicks in and the children of the broken marriage are put into daycare. This is where they are raised by incompetents that get paid minimum wage, or, even worse, the grandparents who screwed up with their own kids!
I could go on for a lot longer, but I’ve already wasted enough time and space here on a non sign related topic. And yes, I know that all kids and parents are bad. It just that they’re more obvious

Checkers
 

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Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
 
Hey todd you were packing weren't you? lol so why were you wondering if they were gonna knife you? just pull out that ole hand gun and fill em full of lead dem dirty rats

That'll teach em
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
I wonder what Shelby Steele would have said about Todd's outburst.

.
 

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Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
 
Seems the general consensus here is to be nice and things will be okay.
Not in the world today.
I would have did the same thing Todd did.
If you pay your money to have a good evening with your kid, why allow some punk teen to ruin it, just because. Its called respect. If they arent getting taught that at home, it aint my job to teach them in the movie theatre, except in the way Todd did. Granted, it might have been dangerous, but his description of them laughing at him showed they had no respect at all, and should be treated accordingly. We have our own children to teach proper manners and respect to. WHy take up everyone elses? My son is 15, and I can guarantee you that he would never do anything remotely like that, because I taught him better! Teens are only young adults, and should be dealt with accordingly. Most of the high crime areas are crimes done by teens.
The same thing happened to me a few years ago, in a theatre, and this kid, who was about 15, was being a pure ass. Shouting, stomping his feet, etc. Then he decided he was gonna throw some ice. Well, guess what. He threw a piece at me. I walked over to where he was sitting, sat my ass right down next to him, and told him dont he dare get up. He didnt. We both then got to see the movie with no interruptions. On the way out, I told the manager about it and told him how i handled it. He just looked at me and okay.
Sometimes the situation calls for a more direct approach and one with a little flavor.
 

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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Well, ok...let's get this squared away from my perspective.

My main focus on the rant as far as laying out the color of the patrons probably had some underlying racial feelings....I'd be a liar to say otherwise.

I do not feel racial hatred or bigotry towards respectful minorities. I do feel the same hostility towards "white trash." So I think I'm fair in my assessment toward bad behavior regardless color.

I have my feelings on who causes most of the problems in society...and can back it up statistically with Government Data...but am not here to pick a race fight.

However, I really, mainly intended to sort of create a motion picture in the readers head as to the turn of events...trying to be descriptive and create a visual like you might get when reading any story; "The sun's rays infused a glowing amber tan upon Superman's Kryptonian face." That kind of thing - just trying to create an accurate visual accounting.

I picture things visually, and detail is important in my world.

I know my photo makes me look a buff 23 years old (ha! I wish ) but I'm 45....my daughter is 20. Not that it makes a difference...but I get the impression that some might have thought I created a ruckus in front of a small child.

Ok...so hopefully you understand me. I've tried to be honest here...now let's get beyond the race thing and to the behavior.

I believe in assessing the situation and acting accordingly. In this case, I saw disrespectful, destructive, and ill-manered kids disrupting a handful of people's cherished entertainment time.

I hollered "Hey, Knockit off" once from my seat. They were about 12 or so rows up past us and way off to one side in a corner...They had to be pretty loud to get my attention in the first place.

I don't know what to say...I'm just not a "time out" Dr. Phil kind of guy.

I felt that my size and age might make an impression on them by directly confronting the misbehavior at hand.

Had they been big 6'5" gangsta dressed guys I would have taken a different tact. It would have been foolish, and possibly painful, to confront that scenario in the same manner.

I truly felt that they needed to know there were other "real" human beings in the theatre beyond themselves...and that the rest of us were not insignificant background, there for their abuse and amusement.

Sometimes the gargoyle on the building makes more of an impact when it comes to life.

I felt the behavior demanded more than touchy-feely...it needed stern admonition.

The thing that made me the most furious is that as I turned around to go back to my seat...they busted out in unrestrained laughter. Total disrespect.

I am 100% with Kimberly's assessment on today's youth.

I wasn't a perfect angel as a kid...but I can assure you this; if an adult spoke to me, I was polite, and headed their advice, warnings, whatever. I wouldn't have dared laugh in their face or argued with them. I just wasn't brought up that way.

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Similar thing happened with my buddy recently. At the theatre with his wife...pretty crowded though. He's watching a flick and begins to become irritated at hearing a bunch of "white" honkie kids blabbing and distracting everyone.

He kept his cool till they started lobbing Sugar Babies off his head. He went unglued and leaped over 4 rows behind him and Yelled, "you guys shut the F--- up and quit throwing things, you understand?! If you bounce one more piece of candy off me I'm coming up here and beating the F--- out of you."

And this guy is usual pretty mellow and doesn't cuss much. Everyone has their breaking point...and being treated disrespectfully when you're minding your own business is a good way to snap.
 

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Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
 
I probably would have done the same thing as Todd, depending on what kind of a "female mood" I was in! Lol!

I don't think Todd meaned to sound racial about it. I have no problem at all with black people, & have met some that were so much nicer than some white people are. But I do have to say that I have spent most of my time, my whole life, with nothing but white people. I am used to them, & if I were in the theater that night, I may have percieved the black kids as different to me.

I would have done the same with a group of hispanic kids, or oriental kids....see, they are the same as me in some ways, but YES, they are different than me also in other ways! And I do not say that in an insulting manner, so don't any of you say that!

I just don't think Todd meant to be prejudiced when he said what he did. And I am sure if the white kids would have acted that way, like many DO, he would have reacted the same way.

You have guts Todd, I know I might have said something to them, but I would have been afraid to get in their faces! I guess the best thing is to tell the manager & let them deal with it.

Sonny~honkies!!!!
 

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Posted by Patrick Whatley (Member # 2008) on :
 
Todd, you took free movie passes to another movie. That's not a refund. You're still having to patronize a movie theater with management that didn't correc the problem.

I was at the movies with a couple fo friends and this little high school air head in front of us kept answering her cell phone. After the third or fourth call the guy next to me reaches forward and plucks the phone out of her hand, tells the person on the phone she'll call him back and turned the phone off.

The look on the girls face was priceless but the rest of the theater was laughing hysterically. She apologized after the movie, got her phone and the first phone call she made was to tell somebody about this "old asshole" in the movie theater.
 

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Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
 
Go Deaton!!!! Oh my that is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are one wise individual! And funny! Oh my, I would have LOVED to have seen that!
 

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Posted by Lotti Prokott (Member # 2684) on :
 
And when has "snapping" solved anything? Your example,Todd,just makes me shake my head.

It's a universal law that you get what you give. In the teens' case, they were disrespectful, so they got treated with disrespect which they returned, etc. etc.. But don't you see that unless someone deliberately interrupts the ping-pong effect of violence (which includes yelling, name calling, cussing and threatening) you will never solve the problem, only put a damper on it before it explodes? Oooh, I could get so political here, but I better shut up.
 

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Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :
 
This is why I rent movies off the satalite.

Good for you Todd, I'd done the same thing. Problem being if they started laughing at me , I probebly would have went to jail for giving them the ass-wuppin that they have needed since they were 2.

I hate going into public places.......its so hard nowadays to avoid "stupid people".

Going to the damn grocery store anymore is a pain.
 

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Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Kimberly Zanetti:
Unless I say otherwise and you're over 5' tall, my name is Mrs. Purcell.

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Phew, just made the cut-off on that one!

Todd, I'll disagree with you on the respect thing. As far as I'm concerned, a person earns respect, they aren't just entitled to it because they're breathing.

What you described isn't what I would consider a lack of respect, it's a lack of being taught how a person is suppost to act. And of course, the problem stems from parents who aren't responsible enough to raise a houseplant, yet they have kids! Then they're too afraid or don't care enough or just aren't smart enough to figure out how that they need to teach the kid something.

We stopped for a quick supper a few weeks ago & for some insane reason sat in the non-smoking section. 1/2 way across the restaurant in our section was a couple with several kids, screaming the whole time. Told Bill "never again" & he asked what I would do if PA bans smoking in all restaurants. Told him I'd either find those that had "no kid" sections or I'd be eating at home. I don't have kids for a reason & it's certainly not so I can go out to eat & have to listen to someone else's screaming brat. We both agreed had we done that when we were kids, there would have been nasty consequences.
 

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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
LOL Pat....I felt the same thing as he handed me the passes...but honestly, I was stressed out enough that I figured the passes made me win the day. I turned around and gave them to my daughter and told her to bring a friend back sometime.

Great story! I always think of "what I shoulda done" after the fact. That guys was pretty quick on his feet.

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Glenn - interesting reading!

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Bob - not every situation requires lethal force...in that case, if I'd been packing...which I wasn't...it would have been sufficient to just "make 'em dance."

***********************
 

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Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
 
I'm hanging with Deaton.

Yeah, give nice when nice is deserved, as if they didn't know they were offensive.

Racial? Live around Detroit for a while and the real education begins.

Anyways, you did pretty good. None of us want to go that bad place in our hearts when we just want some enjoyment, especially with our kids.

What would superman do?
 

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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 

quote:

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Good for you Todd, I'd done the same thing. Problem being if they started laughing at me , I probebly would have went to jail for giving them the ass-wuppin that they have needed since they were 2.

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Jake - dude....thanks man, I needed that!

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Chris - I'm pretty much converted into following your theory on respect. Makes really good sense.

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Lotti - we'll have to disagree...I don't view yelling in a case like this as "violence." They did shut up after I yelled and started off for management....but they obviously weren't traumatized as they were laughing in my face.
 

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Posted by Joseph Diaz (Member # 5913) on :
 
Five years ago I was probably one of those kids. Maybe not that bad. Especially not when I was alone but only when I was with a bunch a friends. To be honest their really isn’t any perfect way to handle that situation. I applaud you Lotti for choosing the more enlightened path and it would be nice if the whole world was filled with people like you that would throw water on the fire rather than more gas. But, I think that if you simply just walked up to a bunch of “butt heads” and expressed your feelings in a calm voice they would still laugh at you as you walked back to your seat. However, yelling at them obviously doesn’t work either. I would have gotten out of my chair and sat directly behind them. Then when they start talking I would be like “Hey whatcha guys talking about?” “Can I hang out with you guys” “You know I got this cult I’m trying to start… we’re building this space ship in my basement.” “We could use a few health young men such as yourselves.” If you can creep them out enough maybe they might want to leave.
I mean at this point you’ve already missed part of the movie. You might as well have some fun.
 

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Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
 
i'm with ya todd...i don't have a problem with what you did...probably would have done the same...your buddy is right on!lol!
jd3 is right, nicey nice just don't cut it today...hence the reason i don't even care to leave my property as i find alot of society's behavior irritating...and dr phil makes my ass itch.
 

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Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
 
Interesting viewpoints. I too have been annoyed with the new generation of parenting that thinks their toddler yelling and fussing in a movie or at a public function is cute. It is downright rude.

I do agree with Lotti though that somewhere along the way these kids need to learn a different way. Sometimes a kind word from a stranger is all it may take to turn someone around. Not to say that I wouldn't have been annoyed with these guys who are definately old enough to know better.

The subject of respect is an interesting one. I have to disagree with Kissy though:

quote:

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As far as I'm concerned, a person earns respect, they aren't just entitled to it because they're breathing.

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quote:

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Originally posted by KARYN BUSH:

...and Dr phil makes my ass itch.

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you know that leads to stinky fingers right?

Lotti, I'm with Todd on this one. The "calm" approach works when they are young, not when they are teenagers. Your past that point. They are "teenagers", they know it all. Only difference between them and when we were kids is that we new were the line was when it came to adults. Respect. The only thing that gets to them now is to scare the bajezus out of them.

Works for me.

Example: Some friends of ours have a kid the same age as our daughter. For the most part he is a good kid. But he decided one evening when we were all hanging out at the house that it would be funny to slap me on the back of the head. Well, with his mother and father watching, I turned around and slaped him on the chops. He didn't think it was funny anymore. And his mom and dad agreed. If you don't draw the line in the sand, then they will. That boy is respectful when he is around me and my family now. His mom and dad are raising him right, but they will always try to push the line a little more.

Back when "whippin's" were what you got when you screwed up, we didn't have these problems as much. Wonder why?

 

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Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
 
We all find ourselves in this same situation from time to time. Let's face it, rebellious kids are nothing new. Nothing is more fun to a punk kid or adult than some old fart they can pick on.

It's frustrating, but we cannot control everything. You ask the management to do their jobs. If that don't work you can take the Dirty Harry route and blow them away, or take the more passive route and ask for a refund.

We all have to kiss butt everyday. Our bankers, bosses, customers and even Family all need to be serviced. It's no fun, but who ever said life is perfect.

A similar incident happened to me at a viewing of The DiVinci Code. This group of Heathens took seats in front of us. Shortly after, a busload of Christians took up several rows behind us. I never really paid any attention, but 13 were black and 22 were white. One was a midget. I'm not sure of her colour.

Anyway, the Christian folk kept jumping up all thru the movie yelling stuff like " That's blasphemy!" "Jesus hates sex! He never had a wife!" Stuff like that. Very distracting.

Right about now, a bunch of you are really starting to dislike me. I may be pushing some of your buttons. Before sending me those "Hell in a handbasket" letters, you need to know my little story was all tonque in cheek.

Posts like this are fun to read, but in the end they only result in bringing out the worse in us. It has nothing to do with Letterheads or the reason we are supposed to be here. Rants like this are better being sent to the Editorial Section of our papers.

Who the heck is Shelby Steele? If they can't paint a sign, why do I need to care?



I'll leave this open in case someone wants to quote me or debate, but let's try and bang heads over something sign related. Like maulsticks.
 

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Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
 
3 words for ya Todd....

pay per view


3 more for ya....

peanut butter & jelly


About the racial thing... I personally dislike the word "white" as much as I do the word "black" as descriptive terms. Brown and Tan are better. I am not white, and Glenn is not black... how about Biege and Sienna, thats better.
 

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Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
 
Glad you left this post open, Steve... Jon, I did not realize the "white folks" were not kids til I read that in your post! Sorry about the mistake!

I also like the points you have made about being politically correct, Jon.

Captain Ken~ No, Beige & Burnt Umber! Lol! When I was little, I used to say they weren't BLACK, they were BROWN, & WE weren't WHITE, we were PEACH! Lol!I used to like the light brown M&M's because they were brown like the people were.
 

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Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
 
wow i always thought glenn was a pasty white boy...go figure.
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
Pasty?!!
 

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Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
 
my bad, wrong Glen Taylor, just looked at your state, the Glen Taylor I know is a black guy with white dredlocks, he is really dark umber with cool grey hair.
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
Oh, that must be my half-brother.

.
 

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Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
 
lol glen...i always refer to myself as a pasty white gal...so i just lumped you right in.
 

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Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
 
I am more of a linen white or honey wheat

I think this was a sucsessful hijack.... so Todd how was the movie aside for the evil ethnic teens??

[ July 21, 2006, 06:59 PM: Message edited by: captain ken ]
 

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Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
 
I am a very pink white gal.

Honey wheat? Sounds like it would make a great new shade of One Shot.
 

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Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
 


[ July 21, 2006, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
 

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Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
 
The last time I did my timbering tools show, it was in La. a little north on Nawlin's. At this location, they always bus in loads of school children on Friday, first day of the event. (Old tractors, etc) One of the things you need to learn if you're going to work with non power tools, is how to sharpen them really well. Sure power tools need to be sharp too, but with them, you can just work the motor a little harder. With non power tools YOU are the motor.

Anyways, as I do the 'show', I go from one tool to the next, they are left where I use them. These include double bit axes, broadaxe, foot adze, and more. I don't leave the site without moving them, but when I'm there, the tools are about the place. So this young man (is 'teenager' one of those terms invented for social engineering?) walks up, picks up a tool, and starts using it. I got very direct with him, and told him to ask first. He starts telling me he wasn't using it. I got right in his face, like 4 inches away, with "YOU WERE USING IT! But that very instant, I had this thought, maybe God, so I obeyed it and put my arm around the guy and said "MAN, YOU WERE USING IT, BUT IT'S NO BIG DEAL. Next time just ask". Then I talked him into using it, he did and it was cool. So I guess it was somehere between Lotti and Todd, but honestly, I don't know that it was my idea, I'm not always like that.
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
After spending most of the day lettering trucks out in the parking lot, I'm "lobster pink". I usually don't go pasty until about January.

.
 

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Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
 
I don't wear pasties, I leave them up to the drunken California bimbos that come here to party on the weekends.

The first time I saw Superman Returns there was a mexican (yeah, I said it) family in front of me and my mom. Yeah, we both had a break in the day so we zipped on down to the movies to beat the heat.

Anyway, the mom and dad were obviously pretty young, low 20's and they had 4 or 5 kids.

I'm thinkin' "Oh great, these kids are gonna be a pain."

Turns out the kids were angels but "dad" just wanted to stand up in the isle, blocking my view, while talking on his cell phone.

I asked him to sit so he wasn't blocking my view and to put the phone away til the end of the movie and there wasn't a problem after that, but you know what??

I shouldn't have had to ask him to sit down and shut up in the first place. He should have just known that's what he's supposed to do. I don't care if it was just during the advertisements before the previews, or during the previews or during the movie itself. When you go into a theater you find your seat, sit down and zip it or use your "inside voice". It's that simple.

Having people standing up around me while I'm sitting just makes me a nervous psychotic.


 

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Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
 
excuse me Mike, I happen to be a bimbo, and I take offense to your remark....I think?
 

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Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
 
That is funny Glen! My face is VERY pink, all the time, especially when it is hot & humid. Guess I am not a heat person!

I like that James. I wonder if he had expected you to just be mad at him, & your attitude changed the whole thing, huh? I like that!
 

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Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
 
Nettie Said:

quote:

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I set boundaries, and was quite alot harder on her than her mum. Ironically, she absolutely adored me.

Kids actually WANT boundaries and dicipline. In they're eyes, that tranlates to being a very important form of LOVE and caring.

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THIS IS SO TRUE IT HURTS. Somewhere between 1955 and today we ALL messed up. The family unit has disintegrated; primarily because of the prevasive Mutation of "American" values.

THere was a generation after the second world war that experienced a minor renaissance in most areas. People worked hard and economy and technology evolved and enabled them to get MORE.

When they got MORE, they discovered they wanted STILL MORE, so the folks hired somebody else to tend the kiddos while they both became breadwinners, because after all, weren't they AMERICANS and ENTITLED to the AMERICAN DREAM?

SO everybody got COLOR TV'S and TWO cars, and all was well, and they retired. But their children inherited the NEED for MORE, and the pervasive sense of ENTITLEMENT, and followed in their steps, and the mutation continued.

ENTITLEMENT came over time to be revealed for what it really was--SELFISHNESS & GREED. Mom and Dad soon decided that some of the MORE they were wanting included OTHER RELATIONSHIPS, and like wildfire, or a virulent disease, DIVORCE, once scandalous, creeped into the NORM.

THE RESULT: Where one generations kids had to put up with being raised by someone else, the next had to deal with the loss of the family unit altogether--because under their own very observant gaze the saw Mom and Dad chasing what they were ENTITLED to.

TODAY: A generation with no concept of home or boundary, terms like RESPECT and HONOR are alien.

No wonder children from every walk of life are disconnected, shiftless, bitter and ANGRY....because somewhere deep inside, in some racial memory, they know they've ROYALLY gotten the shaft.

Forgive me for waxing biblical here but it is nonetheless appropriate:

Pr 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.

We have no boundaries anymore, we as a people do what feels "right" to us, in the moment...we have bought into "situational ethics", and the "children at large" are picking up the generational tab.

Don't get me wrong, I'd have likely done the same as Todd, but lets have no illusions. In reality, all that really was is picking at only one of the scabs that mar the visage of a once great and proud people.

We have more STUFF than ever before, but we have bartered the loftier aspects of who we ought to be in the process.

[ July 21, 2006, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: Barry Branscum ]
 

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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Ken - the movie was pretty good...I'd give it an 8 out of 10...what I saw of it and what I was able to concentrate on....

Ya know...I wish I would have ate Mexican food that night (is it racist to refer to a particular ethnic food by it's nationality?) because maybe instead of sternly correcting them, I could have stood in front of them and blown gas their way for 2 hours...yeah, I think fouling their space would have been the better approach...but it wasn't the one that seemed the best at the time (and I just wasn't producing the appropriate psi for an "air" assault).

I have no regrets in my reaction. I think I acted appropriately. I never "disrespected" them by referring to them as punks, idiots, or any other derrogatory remark. I simply told them to do what the corporate movie preview requested of the viewing audience: No cell phones, no talking.

I'm disappointed they were too disrespectful or stupid to have gotten the message the first time...the message nicely sent via the projector....but they seemed to register my message for the most part.

I just don't really feel like my rights to a relaxing environment should be violated nor take a back seat to protect the "sensitivities" of these innocent socially maligned kids - and if it means I have to stand up and face it like a man, I'm going to.

I'm not a nut...I don't think...I'm just an average guy that wants a little enjoyment on occasion without being harrassed.

Clarification: I'm not sure how it got started...but the honkies in the front row consisted of maybe a couple college aged adults and a few other adults...they were not kids, nor was I making a comparison about the polite whites in the front verses the obnoxious blacks in the back - although that really is how it played out.

Steve - honestly.....I don't care if Satan himself is sitting in the theatre...if he keeps his cell phone off, doesn't burn holes in the seats, and keeps his big mouth shut...I won't have to open a can of Whup A$$ on him.

Sign Relation - this is no different than a client that treats you like crap....you take so much, decide it's not worth it and tell them to whizz up a rope.

[ July 21, 2006, 09:55 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 

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Posted by Tracie Johnson (Member # 6117) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve Shortreed:

I never really paid any attention, but 13 were black and 22 were white. One was a midget. I'm not sure of her colour.

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Good one
 

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Posted by Bob Peach (Member # 2620) on :
 
I can see where being Peach would be a good thing.
 

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Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
 
For what it's worth, I've found that most of the people who use the terms white, black, hispanics, colored, etc, right after they say they are not racist, are more than a little hypocritical.

I'm also not quite so old to have forgotten being an obnoxious, loud, brain-dead teenager. Maybe if we spent a little less time slamming "these kids today", we'd stop sounding like our parents did when WE we the kids those days.
Rapid

[ July 21, 2006, 11:09 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
 

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Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
 
almost enuf posts to quote somebody...

...Ok, I like quoting Ray:

"I'm also not quite so old to have forgotten being an obnoxious, loud, brain-dead teenager. Maybe if we spent a little less time slamming "these kids today", we'd stop sounding like our parents did when WE we the kids those days."

I was also remembering my less then angelic days (there were a few) I have no end of respect for they type of people my parents are/were & unending respect for their ability to pass along at least an understanding of how I could try to become somewhat like them.

I wanted to praise Lotti's example. Several replys seemed to be telling her that her approach won't work... but something tells me she hasn't been living in a bubble just imagining these social theories... I'm pretty sure she has had as much experience getting positive results with honey as others have had with vinegar.

I think I was one of those kids with a good upbringing, but some unacceptable behavior as a teen... I seem to remember a time or two when testing boundries, or showing off brought me some polite guidence by my elders... & I feel that the respect shown to me helped reinforce the efforts my parents made.

I also agree that this won't work every time... but I applaud Lotti for adding that balance to this topic & I hope it sinks in to my thick skull a little bit today the same way the respect of those "elders" I mentioned sank in a little.

[ July 22, 2006, 01:15 AM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
 

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Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
 
Isn't white the color of dead people?
 

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Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
 
white IRISH, ARIAN, SCANDENAVIAN.....rest of the people have COLOR......somewhere between coal black & peach!!!!!!!
BARRY turn off linbaugh....goan freeze youre brain....
as someone who LIVED waht you try to discribe...
i was born 1945, well WW2 was still going on.
and you missed the best years of this country 1950-1980. now as far as iam concerened this is where the real decay came to be....after 1975...
i can tell you all the great things about growing up in the 50's, learning the work ethic with a paper route, farm work, AND DOING WORK FOR FREE(like mechanic's, just to LEARN)respect was taught....and if you didnt get it you got one up side youre head!!! the NO-DRAFT, NO-HITTIN, NO PUNISMENT, generation was born then....youre so called ENTITLED youth.
and these have spawned the NOW TEENAGERS....
who think RAP MUSIC is the best, callin women nanes and cus words in songs now make up all the lyrics....and the sad thing is...WAIT TILL THESE HAVE OFFSPRING.......
 

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Posted by Barry Branscum (Member # 445) on :
 
Thanks OP...I'm glad to see you agree with me.

In my view, you just repeated what I said in your own inimitable style.


 

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Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
 
As far as color goes.... it depends on where you're talking about as to what color I am. I live in tank tops in the summer so my arms are an ecru, my shoulders are more of a tan & my belly is that pasty glow-in-the-dark white color. I've also got this big honking purple bruise on my leg that has a mustard yellow edge to it, I have no idea how it got there.

Suelynn, I believe our definitions of respect are different, and I'd like to explain my thoughts a little better.

To me respect is holding a person in high-esteem because of the person that they are. I can't do that if it's a total stranger because I don't know what kind of person they are. Not automatically respecting a total stranger doesn't mean I disrespect them, I see a middle ground between respect & disrespect. People I don't know automatically go into that space. They are automatically treated with politeness while I get to know them better.

I still wouldn't consider what Todd experienced a lack of respect. It's just being rude & impolite. You don't have to respect a total stranger to act appropriately around them, you just have to have manners.

This is just the way I see it and I'm ok disagreeing with you on this.

In Todd's case I wouldn't have gone up to them and gotten in their faces. That's just begging for a reaction and playing "who's going to back down first" with a group of teenagers is just dumb. Being there weren't a lot of people in the theatre, I would have yelled up to them "would you please be quiet?". If they continued to disrupt the movie, I would have went to the manager. I don't think it was wrong of management to give them a warning and a second chance, sometimes people need to have things, in this case their actions, brought to their attention to realize what they're doing. But I really have to question if this was their first warning ever at that theatre. Chances are they've been warned before in which case they should've been booted.
 

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Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Janette Balogh:

Kids actually WANT boundaries and dicipline. In they're eyes, that tranlates to being a very important form of LOVE and caring.

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quote:

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I couldn't help cracking up when he walked out to his piping hot black car, and drove off, blazing helmet firmly on his head.

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It develops the scene in your mind. It would be like describing a fall scene without indicating the weathered, colorful, crackly appearance of leaves on the street...or leaving out the description of the snappy cool air.

I'm not so PC as that I am willing to dance around descriptive terminology and speak in generics for the ultra sensitive. To me, that's exhibiting more uptight behavior than my confrontation.

Really,....I wouldn't confront someone in every situation...and I would certainly go the gentler route as Wayne/Lotti suggest in most situations.

But not all. And based on the shinanigans these kids were pulling...I'd do it all over just the same. If they were "white" - they'd still get the same treatment.

Thanks for responding either way, it's been interesting - and It did help relieve the small clouds of smoke comin' out of my ears.

[ July 22, 2006, 05:58 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
 

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Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
 
Yelling or hystonics is unnecessary! Example:

We were in a restaurant when a guy at the table behind us started in on his cell phone. He was quite loud and talking about some gross things.

I got up, leaned on his table and looked him in the eye and quietly said "Either hang up or go outside with that phone! If not, I am going to shove it up your ass!"

He quickly hung up and I got appreciative smiles from the other diners.
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 
Just out of curiosity, does the fact that I like the song "Play that Funky Music White Boy" by Wild Cherry mean I'm a racist?

Should "Average White Band" be immune from claims of being racist because of its name because the band's drummer, Stephen Ferrone, is a black man with an Italian last name?

.
 

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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
I love your quiet, gentle approach Si!
 

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Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
 
Si forgot to mention that that guy was me. I was talking to this midget lady I met at a theatre. He was po'ed because I wouldn't let him talk gross to her.
 

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Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
 
glenn, the band who wrote the song, PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC WHITE BOY.......was just that ALL WHITE BOYS!!!! 1975 i was working in a chev dealership parts dept in WEIRTON, W.VA. and the band(WILD CHERRY) used to come in and rent a truck on thurs to haul their equipment to where they was playin that weekend..........this was before they had their ONE HIT SONG.
 

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Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
 
Wild Cherry - - I looked them up and came across their logo....I really like that!!

Check this out...looks like a sign guy mighta done this:


 

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Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
 
Bet that sign guy was OP......
 

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Posted by david drane (Member # 507) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by KARYN BUSH:
wow i always thought glenn was a pasty white boy...go figure.

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Can we have a PMS# on that please Karyn??
 

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Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
 
First of all I want to say this: Noticing that someone is black or white is not racist; that's just observant. If you were sideswiped by a Blue Toyota and the officer asked you which one hit you and you couldn't say because you were afraid the Toyota people might get bent out of shape or that people with blue cars would think you were stereotyping them out as bad drivers that would just be plain dumb. Same here; so don't tell me that picking that 156 Brilliant Blue or that 199 Black or 134 Chrome Yellow for that sign is discrimination. That word is way over used. If you want to see real discrimination, pull off the interstate in south Atlanta or southeast DC.

I had a similar rant yesterday in Wally World. I only go there as a last resort and yesterday reaffirmed that once again. My daughter is moving to Burbank, Cali for her new job and wanted a new "tiny" digital camera. We were going to Atlanta to see her yesterday when the wife mentioned that she wanted one. Being about the only place open at that time, I decided to give Walmart a shot. I picked out a nice Sony W30 but they didn't have any in stock. The girl offered to call the other Walmart to see if they had one; they had plenty and it was only two more exits in the direction we were going so we went there. There were two people waiting at the counter and the one girl that was supposed to be taking care of them was replacing the roll of photo paper in the DIY kioske. I watched her painfully as she moved a little slower than kudzu. I can't help but wonder where they get these losers!! After waiting for close to 10 minutes, she seemed no closer to giving a glance at her customers at the counter so I decided to try somewhere else. On the way out the door I had to share my disgust with the lady that checks your purchases. I told her "You know why I hate shopping at Walmart? It's because you people have *no* respect for peoples time. They hire people not fit to wait on people and they don't care if it takes 30 minutes to wait on you or check you out." When we got back from Atlanta yesterday evening, the wife wanted to go to Red Lobster for dinner. I've almost never had a really good dining experience at Red Lobster so I suspected that things would go to heck in a handbasket. Sure enough, two couples that came in after us got seated before us. The "greeter/seater" thought we were already seated, LOL. We finally get seated and order water and look over the menu. After a full 15 minutes our server has not come back. The wife gets up and asks another server if she can find our server that we are hungry and ready to order. We wait another 10 minutes but she doesn't show up. We get up and leave and go to Cracker Barrel and have a very good, quick meal, great service and saved about $40.
 

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Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
 
Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, ummm makes me hungry for generically correct plastic food like one would find in the frozen food section of a Wal-Mart super store
 

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Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by david drane:

quote:

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Originally posted by KARYN BUSH:
wow i always thought glenn was a pasty white boy...go figure.

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Can we have a PMS# on that please Karyn??

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quote:

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Cost me $8.50 a ticket...and concessions another $20....so had roughly $37+ into the evening not counting gas

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