The Fiery Quill

I was reminded this evening of how hard it was to be an almost teenager. Middle school was one of the worst times while I was growing up. My world revolved around school: what happened there, who liked me, who didn't, what I was going to wear while I was there...It was tough for someone like me who didn't really fit in. I got picked on, had few friends and the teachers didn't seem to care too much. If they paid any attention to me at all, it was mostly to yell or embarrass me. I do not look back fondly on that experience and certainly wish it could have been different. But if this was true for me, it was doubly true for Bryan Jackson. Bryan Jackson was my friend. We had gone to school together since we were in 1st grade. Bryan was kind of geeky, sensitive, never wore the right things. He got picked on....alot. But he was such a nice guy, the kind that couldn't have been mean even if he had tried. We both had a tough time in 7th grade. There were a couple of teachers who...

What is it about people who interact with someone whose job is to help them? What is it that makes it ok ,under these circumstances, to treat said persons like they are either stupid or subservient? I've never actually gotten my blood pressure tested, but after a day on the job, I certain it is quite high after "serving" my fellow citizens. I'm convinced that in ordinary situations at home or spending time with friends, these same people are probably fairly "normal." But when you put them in situations where a paid employee is available to help them, they turn into individuals with no manners and a couple of personalities. Regardless of the fact that some of these persons may indeed actually have a couple personalities. Recall the person who called wanting to cancel a certain order she had placed. A few days later, her other personality called back demanding to know why she had not received said order yet. I'm afraid this sort of thing happens a lot mor...