Where’s Your Perspective?

I have just about had it with people who expend lots of energy making mountains out of molehills. When did it become socially acceptable to completely over-react? This has been bothering me since the whole Shelly Duncan Red Sox Autograph thing. The parents of that little Sox fan were up in arms about a playful “Red Sox Suck!” scrawl, as if their precious little 10 year old had never had his innocent ears subjected to the word “suck”. Uh, I’m pretty sure 10-year-olds invented that word. Also, I’m fairly sure that by 10, you’re aware of the meaning of “opinion”. It’s not like the kid was suddenly all “OH MY GOD, The Boston Red Sox suck? I had no idea! My whole world is now crumbling around me!”. It was a joke. His parents should have laughed about it and maybe the kid would end up with a sense of humor instead of being yet ANOTHER bitter Sox fan.

SO, with that in mind, I bring you the “OVER-REACTION of the DAY”… let me set the scene:

It’s a Westchester County library, north of New York City. A woman is returning a library book she found in her mother’s room, after her mother had recently passed away. The book was apparently being returned a little late. The library clerk informed her that the late fee was $0.50.

Okay, true…. it’s a little tacky. I mean, obviously, the woman’s mother would have returned it on time if she had not… well, died. It’s kind of crazy and insensitive, even a little inappropriate, but it’s 50 CENTS people. Scrape it off the floor of your SUV and pay the fine and get on with life… right? Oh, no no no no… of course it can’t be that easy. Let’s complain, call the media, and get all agitated about this 50 cent late fee.

I kid you not, people… this is the quote the woman gives regarding being charged a $.50 late fee at the library on behalf of her dead mother:

“I was in shock,” Schaper said. “This has rocked me to my core.”

Seriously, lady. I’m sorry for your loss. I’m sorry the library clerk was an insensitive jerk. I’m truly sorry that anyone said anything to you at the library other than “thanks for returning the book, ma’am” but come on… ROCKED YOU TO YOUR CORE? In some countries, women are discouraged from reading at all. In many places in the world, finding food is a priority. However, being charged an inappropriate 50 cent late fee at your local public library has rocked you to your core? It really feels like people are losing all perspective.

~ by lisa on September 27, 2007.