I am rarely one to rant. In fact, I try hard not to get angry or upset. But for a moment, one shred of a second, I will share with you one of my pet peeves. It happens every day, in many different contexts. I can't begin to explain how frustrating it is when someone takes a single, isolated action and makes it into something it's not. For example, if my neighbor, who happens to be a local policeman, borrowed his neighbor's hose without asking first (even though he has done so many times in the past and always had permission), that is an isolated instance. Who in their right mind would then, as a result of that action, accuse the local police department (or for that matter, all police or law enforcement officials anywhere) of stealing, improper use of persona property or any impropriety whatsoever. Who would possibly imagine that the man, who happened to be a policeman, took that action on behalf of police everywhere? It's an absolutely ridiculous leap of logic. Yet, I see this happening daily. Not that specific example, but in many settings, forms, varieties.

Frankly, it annoys me. If I, as a lowly accounts payable clerk in an office, pay a bill (or fail to), what has that to do with the health club to which I belong? What does it have to do with my friends that I met 10 years ago in Texas? Or, perhaps it reflects on the girl I met in 5th grade who later came to my sleepover birthday party? Ridiculous. And I say this to anyone who jumps to such illogical, vague and ungrounded conclusions. Think before you speak.

Labels: Reflections