I have been here before--pondering persistent questions.**
Yet, just when I think I have listed all of my puzzlements for your perusal, I once again find myself with questions large and small. And, of course, I have more time than usual at the moment to ponder these mysteries.
So, here we go--one more time.
Why do:
- people buy bottled water in preparation for a pandemic?
Our water supply is intact and, as far as I know, in no way threatened. And, for the love of God, do we really need to fill our shopping carts with more plastic? If you don't like your tap water, then buy a filter. And please note that 50 percent of the bottled water for sale comes from municipal water supplies -- same as the water coming out of your faucet.
- people hoard toilet paper during the current pandemic?
Seriously, what is this about? We are not living through an epidemic of dysentery. Come on people. Back away from the TP. (If you're really worried, maybe buy a bidet attachment.)
- people bring assault weapons to protests?
I am horrified by pictures of people protesting the pandemic lockdown with assault weapons in their hands. Yes, I know that the First Amendment provides that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the right of the people peaceably to assemble," but how is openly displaying assault weapons "peaceable"?
Leaving behind the pandemic, why do:
- people make so few phone calls, now that phone calling is free?
Before I retired, I worked at an office 13 miles from my home. And although that isn't very far, the two were in different states. Thus, until the advent of cell phones, Skype etc., my calls home involved long-distance charges. Same with calls from home to friends and family back east. (Yes, children, in the dark ages--say, 15 years ago--there there was no way to avoid paying for phone calls to places outside one's very-circumscribed local area.)
It strikes me as ironic that now, when phone calls to almost anywhere are free, many people seem to prefer email and texting. But isn't there something warmer about hearing a voice? With its inflections and nuances? Or am I just old? How I would have loved a free phone call in the even darker ages (pre-email) when our only option was to write letters or call on Sunday when the long-distance charge was less. (I have noticed bit more willingness to talk on the phone since we have been in isolation.)
- people say, "You deserve it" when I ponder whether to buy something?
The word "deserve" in this context makes me uncomfortable. What does this say about those who cannot afford what I am thinking about buying? Do they not deserve to have the thing I am purchasing? Maybe we should say, "You will enjoy it" or "You can afford it." Suggestions?
- people say "woman author," "woman judge," "woman astronaut"?
We wouldn't say "man author" or "man judge." We would say "male author" or "male judge." Perhaps the day will come when it no longer feels necessary to identify people by gender, but as long as we are still dealing in firsts, as in "first female chairperson," can we please be consistent?
- companies send me emails with subject lines such as "Are you aging well? and "You need an air fryer in your life"?
They can't really think I will open these. (And what is an air fryer, anyway? If I don't know what it is, I doubt that I need one.)
- companies sell solid deodorant in a package made of this much plastic when only a fraction of the package is actually needed for the small amount of deodorant inside?
Yet, just when I think I have listed all of my puzzlements for your perusal, I once again find myself with questions large and small. And, of course, I have more time than usual at the moment to ponder these mysteries.
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| Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash |
So, here we go--one more time.
Why do:
- people buy bottled water in preparation for a pandemic?
Our water supply is intact and, as far as I know, in no way threatened. And, for the love of God, do we really need to fill our shopping carts with more plastic? If you don't like your tap water, then buy a filter. And please note that 50 percent of the bottled water for sale comes from municipal water supplies -- same as the water coming out of your faucet.
- people hoard toilet paper during the current pandemic?
Seriously, what is this about? We are not living through an epidemic of dysentery. Come on people. Back away from the TP. (If you're really worried, maybe buy a bidet attachment.)
- people bring assault weapons to protests?
I am horrified by pictures of people protesting the pandemic lockdown with assault weapons in their hands. Yes, I know that the First Amendment provides that "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the right of the people peaceably to assemble," but how is openly displaying assault weapons "peaceable"?
Leaving behind the pandemic, why do:
- people make so few phone calls, now that phone calling is free?
Before I retired, I worked at an office 13 miles from my home. And although that isn't very far, the two were in different states. Thus, until the advent of cell phones, Skype etc., my calls home involved long-distance charges. Same with calls from home to friends and family back east. (Yes, children, in the dark ages--say, 15 years ago--there there was no way to avoid paying for phone calls to places outside one's very-circumscribed local area.)
It strikes me as ironic that now, when phone calls to almost anywhere are free, many people seem to prefer email and texting. But isn't there something warmer about hearing a voice? With its inflections and nuances? Or am I just old? How I would have loved a free phone call in the even darker ages (pre-email) when our only option was to write letters or call on Sunday when the long-distance charge was less. (I have noticed bit more willingness to talk on the phone since we have been in isolation.)
- people say, "You deserve it" when I ponder whether to buy something?
The word "deserve" in this context makes me uncomfortable. What does this say about those who cannot afford what I am thinking about buying? Do they not deserve to have the thing I am purchasing? Maybe we should say, "You will enjoy it" or "You can afford it." Suggestions?
- people say "woman author," "woman judge," "woman astronaut"?
We wouldn't say "man author" or "man judge." We would say "male author" or "male judge." Perhaps the day will come when it no longer feels necessary to identify people by gender, but as long as we are still dealing in firsts, as in "first female chairperson," can we please be consistent?
- companies send me emails with subject lines such as "Are you aging well? and "You need an air fryer in your life"?
They can't really think I will open these. (And what is an air fryer, anyway? If I don't know what it is, I doubt that I need one.)
- companies sell solid deodorant in a package made of this much plastic when only a fraction of the package is actually needed for the small amount of deodorant inside?
(Yes, I know. They are trying to fool me into thinking I am getting more product.) And might I add, when the solid deodorant starts to dwindle, it falls out as you screw it up from the bottom.
I have switched to this:
Check it out--made by a local small-business owner (and she ships).
What is causing you to scratch your head in confusion these days? May your questions all have answers. And please stay home and stay safe!
**See: Inquiring Minds Want to Know know and Why Do They Do That?
ha Ha, and right now I have more time to reply!
ReplyDeleteI was delighted that you have the same reaction to "you deserve to buy that." I also hate that phrase. Why do you have to deserve it -- can't you just want it. None of us really deserve anything really except for our basic human rights. i think it loads every transaction with a freight it doesn't 'deserve' or need to have.
Do you only get something if you deserve it. It might be why we are so weird about our status in the world if you want to get existential about it. If you only get something if you deserve it, then white people must be more deserving. We know that is not true :)!
Which brings me to another of your topics. Women judges etc. You left out that people say black judges also. I think some of this stuff will wear off after a while. Some of it is because of the 'rare bird' phenomena which hopefully will wear off sooner rather than later. there is another reason though, one that I think is less annoying, they may be noticing a difference in how they rule. Or listen. or some other quality. Hopefully this will be noticed in a positive way. But a jerk might notice it as a bad quality (that woman judge threw the book at me).
Take care over there in Vancouver. I had forgotten about having to pay for phone calls across the river. Blessings!
Thanks, as always, for your feedback, Katie.
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