Many younger people are decidedly stupid these days.
Case in point: When I was a young lad, my father took me and my mother out to dinner at a nice restaurant. The restaurant was crowded and there was a long waiting line. Patrons were restless and complaining. My dad quickly surveyed the room and excused himself. A moment later, he returned with the host in tow who said, "Right this way, please."
I was expecting a long wait, but we were immediately seated and looked after. After we were seated, I asked my mom, "What happened?" My dad interrupted, "Son, money talks and bullshit walks." I was confused and my mom smiled and said, "Those other people back there were complaining. No one likes a complainer, John. Your dad tipped the host and in return, he took care of us. One good deed deserves another. That's the way the world works, son. When you're nice to people, they're usually just as nice to you." As she said that, a nice couple was leaving and smiled at us and said, "Good evening. Enjoy yourselves." My parents smiled and responded in kind. Everything was smiles and courtesies. A little light went on for me that day. I smiled and enjoyed my dinner, oblivious to the disgruntled complainers back in the lobby.
Last night, my wife and I went to a restaurant. It was crowded, of course, and there was a waiting line in the lobby. Patrons were restless and complaining, just like all those years ago. There was a podium where one goes and the attendant places your name on the list. The wait would be 45 minutes we were told. As the young lady was writing down my name on the list, I pulled out a new C-note and used it to point to the next number that was due to be called. I smiled and politely asked her, "This number, the next one here, is my number, right?" She replied, "Um, no sir. Your number is down here. The wait will be about 45 minutes."
LOL. I thought she must have been naive or stupid, so I bluntly said, "Well, could this move my name up to the next number that you call," directly offering her the $100 bill. She looked very puzzled and confused. She said, "Um, I don't know. Um, let me ask someone. Uh, I don't think we're supposed to do that. My manager may know. Um, just a minute." She was obviously uncomfortable and I told her to nevermind. We left and went elsewhere.
Maybe I should have asked for the manager to begin with. LOL.
I don't think she had an ethical dilemma, I think she was just plain stupid. LOL. Oh well. She lost out on $100, which she probably could have used for Christmas. |
