Watch out for the oblivious livestock
The other day, I nearly ran over two sheep, I mean W&J College students, who were wandering aimlessly smack dab down the middle of a public thoroughfare amid campus. I crept behind them in my car as one would do if one were waiting for a deer or 'coon to move out of the way. Eventually, a tiny light bulb must have gone on inside the pointed little head of the female member of the pair, for she took the male who was wandering with her by the sleeve and led him to the side of the street so I could pass. This is not a one-time gripe. It happens all the time. Apparently, the students are under the impression that the $25,000 or $30,000 (could it be even more now?) that they pay to the college every year also entitles them to unbridled ambling privileges on local streets. And it's not just the walking. My wife works for a local church, and college students see no problem with using the church parking lot as their personal lot, despite the sign telling them not to. You would think someone who gets into a well-regarded private school would be able to read. Or maybe it's just the feeling of entitlement that kids today seem to have.
Labels: Complaints
posted by Brant at
9:30 AM
6 Comments:
I think you hit the nail on the head when you concluded that the oblivious livestock are driven by a sense of entitlement. Their parents have taught them from an early age that their desires, their feelings, and most important, their precious self-esteem, are so special, so vital to the fabric of society, that they should do whatever they want. It matters not that it might inconvenience someone. They want it!!! (Read that statement using the whiny voice of a petulant ten-year-old.)
And even if the people on whom they trod so disrespectfully should in some manner retaliate, why, there's always litigation to settle the issue.
I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I am of the generation whose children are acting like this. Despite my best efforts at teaching my two children that there are other people in the world and that the Golden Rule really is a good rule by which to abide, my son believes that the world owes him. He comes from a broken home (although I've always been an integral part of his life), he has a special needs sister, his mother is an alcoholic lesbian...boo hoo hoo. That doesn't give him the right to run roughshod over anyone who gets in his way. He's not entitled to beat the crap out of everyone who crosses him. But that's what he does.
I'm proud to say that I really DID try. I'm not one of those parents who coddles his children and teaches them that their wishes are of paramount importance. Sadly, there are far too many others in my generation who think this is the way to raise children. And when these inconsiderate brats start to breed, God help us.
I'm glad you brought this up. I've been complaining about this as long as I could drive. You would think that all those bright minds would have more knowledge when it came to walking across a street.
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It's not a 'generation' thing or a W&J thing in my opinion. I think it's more of an age issue, meaning something you tend to grow out of...or get hit first.
I graduated from W&J (gulp) 15 years ago, and the blog could have been written in the early 90s (if there was blogs then of course).
My wife was a Pitt grad, and it was much more common there, and on much busier streets. In fact, my wife would laugh back when I would visit her because I would RUN across the street. Probably the country boy in me.
I still travel to Oakland some and the kids there almost dare you to run them over. Believe me, the thought crossed my mind. :)
I think it has a bit more to do with that age, which you tend to be in your own bubble, or maybe that the world revolves around you.
All I know is I had a hard enough time with my family and I affording to go there, that I couldn't afford a medical bill.
I agree with wjc it is not a genertaion thing I think it is more a societal problem. I think people feel that they can do whatever they please because if they were to get hit or run over they would just sue the driver. I see kids especially and I think if I had a child and I ever saw them walking in the road or doing something equally stupid I would snatch them baldheaded.
People today have no respect for others whether it being walking across a busy street, parking in a public lot or anything else. It's better for them to just do whatever they please.I just wish manners and respect would come back.
I work at the church on campus mentioned in the blog. We have battled with students parking in our lot for years. Sometimes the police are called and tickets are issued. Sometimes cars are towed. But yet, students continue to park there. Sometimes a church or church staff member will see a student parking in the lot and give them a friendly reminder that this is not a college or public lot. My favorite responses are "But everyone else parks here" and "I am just running in that building for a second." Most of the time the second response is usually a lie. I am not an expert, but I am pretty sure that it is not a good idea to lie to a church.
On several occassions, the folks asking the students not to park in the lot are greeted with unkind responses and one church staff member was hit with some very colorful vocabulary of the four letter variety. Students, we are sorry that we are making your lives harder by asking you to park in the appropriate place or walk to class... but as a church we occasionally have important church functions like funerals and services and need the use of our own lot. The "everyone is doing it" excuse is as old as they come. if you are going to be rude enough to park in the lot, at least be a little more creative with your excuses and reasons. I like to be entertained. Oh, and remember. If you illegally park in a church lot, God is watching.
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