A lesson in not being nice
Last weekend I went to New York City or Queens or is it Astoria? Any who, whilst walking through New York City I had a hankering for some bubble gum. Alecia and I scurried into a Rite Aid and we (I think I made her pay for it) bought a box of Bazooka Bubble Gum (Alecia loves the comics and they make for some of the best bubbles of which I got in trouble for blowing in church, but that is a different story).
Fast forward to the next day in the great borough of Queens. Alecia and I are in one of Queen’s finest drug stores. Alecia had to get some odds and ins. While in line I noticed a mother and young daughter. I would guess the daughter’s age to be about four. Anyway the mother was asking the store clerk if she would hold something behind the counter because she could not afford it. I think the clerk refused. As I approached the counter the same little girl was pointing to some gum, again the mother said she did not have any money. I think to myself, not a problem I have a whole box full of gum in my coat pocket. I offer the girl some of mine. The girl takes a few pieces and then the mother interrupts with, “Is it sugarless?” I explain that it is not sugarless and offer to take the gum back. The mother gives all but one piece back and then goes on her way.
As we leave the store I feel a little embarrassed and a little more angry over the fact that the mother will not allow a child to have a piece of bubble gum with sugar, but will instead give her something with artificial chemicals, some proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals (saccrin). To make matters worse here comes the argument with my fiancée who speculates on the girl’s health and if she is diabetic or not. This leads to a little tiff between us. Nothing major, but a disagreement nonetheless.
I guess you could come away with many morale’s from this story: Don’t con your fiancé into buying you bubble gum; Don’t blow bubbles in church; Mind your own business; Don’t offer candy to kids; Don’t get in ridiculous arguments over bubble gum; Don’t cry over spilt milk; A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
I will let you comment on which one you think is best, feel free to create your own if you don’t see it listed.
posted by Stud @ 6:22 PM
3 Comments:
Yeah, one more "Don't go to New York"--only kidding. That situation can happen anywhere. As for the "don't" comments, you might as well just get over it. You will have a whole lifetime of arguing over absolutely dumb,insignificant, petty stuff that seems relevent at the time but really silly later. Been there--done that!
Of all the great stories you could tell about our romantic and much-needed visit together after 30 lonely days apart, you pick the argument. I gotta say, I don't know how I'd feel if a stranger offered my 8 yr. old candy or gum in the city of New York, or anywhere for that matter. My parents used to check our Halloween Trick-or-Treat candy.
I thought it was a really sweet gesture... I just didn't think it was worth you getting mad, since we don't know the specifics of the family. The kid could be diabetic. The mom could be poor, but too proud to take charity. The kid could be super hyper. The mom could be afraid of men with country accents. You just never know the details, so why's it worth losing your temper?
Marci Says: Thank God your back! And by the way...I'll take your bubble gum any day, but I don't think Jesus cares much for it.
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