I’m not sure where she was first tipped off to the concept of “a Karen” (YouTube surely), but my daughter has been obsessed with the caricature for a few months now.
First, It's really awkward when we see people we like doing literally immoral things like letting their dog get bitches pregnant. There is actually no excuse for that. None. Zero. It's like, they are not going to change based on what we say in this type of situation. So it's sad either way. Well, that being said, any friend of mine should always feel free to call me out, I prefer when people help me see any questionable behavior, because I'd rather have that, and know how I was affecting someone I valued and cared about. I'm sorry you were hurt. And I don't think you were out of line. Ciao Bella!!
Thanks, Jadelyn! I agree that it's just so, so silly for people who claim to love animals to allow their animals to create lots of homeless, doomed animals...especially males, who could get someone pregnant every day of the week! That said, I am totally sure that I am also a hypocrite in so many ways, ha.
A few years ago we spent a week in Valladolid. I was shocked and saddened at the number of unneutered street dogs. I kept telling my husband, Jack, "I want to retire in Mexico and be one of those crazy gringos that rounds up all the street dogs and neuters them." (I'm also aware that some of those dogs may belong to people so I shouldn't be doing such things without permission--but I'm also not actually going to do it. It was just a thought.)
On that same trip we saw countless people riding motorcycles and mopeds with helmets on that were not clasped around their chins. What's the point? You get in an accident, it's just going to fly off and you'll get a head injury. Wear it correctly or don't wear one at all. I told Jack, "If I were Miss Universe, my platform would be motorcycle safety and responsible dog ownership."
(Note: I sometimes see bicyclists here in Chicago wearing helmets that are not clasped. Again, why? Just don't wear one. I really don't understand why people do that.)
Recently a friend here in Chicago introduced me to his two year old male cat. First thing I noticed was his broad face and I remember thinking that's how unneutered male cats' faces develop. Sure enough, the cat turned around and I saw the huevitos. I asked my friend if he was planning to neuter him. He said he knows he should but "I wouldn't like it if someone cut mine off." Oh. My. God. I used to hear people talk like that in the 80s. And I have heard such talk more recently while traveling around Latin America. I told my friend, "You're anthropomorphizing your cat." (I didn't tell him that.) Then he told me that it's going to cost $1,200 USD. OMG. He looked into a low-cost spay/neuter clinics and the wait list is nearly a year. Good God. We were recently in Puerto Escondido where the owners of the hotel we stayed at were heavily involved in animal rescue. We learned that the clinic they work with neuters street cats for 300 pesos. That's quite a difference--$15 vs. $1,200. Vet costs have gotten insane in the US.
You know, I'm really thinking about the nature of rules now (also after the personal message you sent me) and concluding that it goes way deeper than just wanting people to "act right" for the hell of it...because rules are ultimately what separate us from murderous chimps, our closest genetic relatives. And when people blatantly disregard them, it's like witnessing a slip backwards in our evolution, you know? And as a more vulnerable person of our species (because of my disposition, really), I panic when I see us "slipping back," especially on a political level. When people start saying "oh, these rules don't apply to me," or "I'm too special to have to follow the rules," it feels like watching someone just shove aside everything civilization has achieved to say "I am now in charge and there's nothing anyone can do about it because I am not bound by rules and you can fight me about it." And I'm a lover, not a fighter! :D Scary.
Absolutely. On the macro level that is spot on. On a personal level (using the examples I shared in the personal message) when you let your dog pee on the plants that *I* planted, when you park your car in *MY* space, when you rent out too many units in the building where I live which makes it more difficult for me to sell *MY* unit, you're negatively impacting *ME*. That's not okay. What goes through your head that makes you think that it's okay? I would never treat another person like that.
When you choose not to spay/neuter your pet, it contributes to overpopulation and suffering. Okay, it doesn't DIRECTLY impact me, but it make me really sad to see that suffering. On airplanes or public transit when you're listening to videos or music without headphones, you are being inconsiderate of others. It doesn't cause me great harm but again, what goes through people's heads that makes them think that's okay?
I want people to act right because it's for the greater good and also so that I'm not personally negatively impacted.
I now have the desire for an opportunity to spend some time around you so that I can decide for myself if it's YOU or THEM! At this point, I want to side with you...
Sarah, Your waitress issue reminds me of mine with my Mexican cleaner. Every week she puts my stuff in a diferent place, and I just put them back, hoping she will remember where they were after dusting or arranging the couch cushions or laying down the shoe rug. I even wrote a note: Devuelvelo aqui. But it doesn't happen and, living in Ajijic where it is very difficult to find good people because of all the need for them, I JUST SUCK IT UP. So I just go back and put things where I want them. At least my floors are clean, which is really the most important thing for my poor back. It is easier to rant and rave and take my frustrations on Trump , and just as ineffective.
I wonder if it's not just a maid thing? Our maid, who is excellent in all respects, likes to do little things that I have to undo when after she leaves--no big deal--like re-tilt the mirror or put the bed pillows back in the way I like them. I think it's a way of showing emphatically that she has been there and has been working. Friends have commented on this as well.
This was so excellent, on so many levels -- thank you!!
Oh, thank you Lucinda!
"Kens and Chads are those Dollar Store magnets that are too weak to fix even a single sheet of paper to the fridge"
😂 Just started reading this essay and I'm already dying
lol I was proud of that one 😂
First, It's really awkward when we see people we like doing literally immoral things like letting their dog get bitches pregnant. There is actually no excuse for that. None. Zero. It's like, they are not going to change based on what we say in this type of situation. So it's sad either way. Well, that being said, any friend of mine should always feel free to call me out, I prefer when people help me see any questionable behavior, because I'd rather have that, and know how I was affecting someone I valued and cared about. I'm sorry you were hurt. And I don't think you were out of line. Ciao Bella!!
Thanks, Jadelyn! I agree that it's just so, so silly for people who claim to love animals to allow their animals to create lots of homeless, doomed animals...especially males, who could get someone pregnant every day of the week! That said, I am totally sure that I am also a hypocrite in so many ways, ha.
A few years ago we spent a week in Valladolid. I was shocked and saddened at the number of unneutered street dogs. I kept telling my husband, Jack, "I want to retire in Mexico and be one of those crazy gringos that rounds up all the street dogs and neuters them." (I'm also aware that some of those dogs may belong to people so I shouldn't be doing such things without permission--but I'm also not actually going to do it. It was just a thought.)
On that same trip we saw countless people riding motorcycles and mopeds with helmets on that were not clasped around their chins. What's the point? You get in an accident, it's just going to fly off and you'll get a head injury. Wear it correctly or don't wear one at all. I told Jack, "If I were Miss Universe, my platform would be motorcycle safety and responsible dog ownership."
(Note: I sometimes see bicyclists here in Chicago wearing helmets that are not clasped. Again, why? Just don't wear one. I really don't understand why people do that.)
Recently a friend here in Chicago introduced me to his two year old male cat. First thing I noticed was his broad face and I remember thinking that's how unneutered male cats' faces develop. Sure enough, the cat turned around and I saw the huevitos. I asked my friend if he was planning to neuter him. He said he knows he should but "I wouldn't like it if someone cut mine off." Oh. My. God. I used to hear people talk like that in the 80s. And I have heard such talk more recently while traveling around Latin America. I told my friend, "You're anthropomorphizing your cat." (I didn't tell him that.) Then he told me that it's going to cost $1,200 USD. OMG. He looked into a low-cost spay/neuter clinics and the wait list is nearly a year. Good God. We were recently in Puerto Escondido where the owners of the hotel we stayed at were heavily involved in animal rescue. We learned that the clinic they work with neuters street cats for 300 pesos. That's quite a difference--$15 vs. $1,200. Vet costs have gotten insane in the US.
You know, I'm really thinking about the nature of rules now (also after the personal message you sent me) and concluding that it goes way deeper than just wanting people to "act right" for the hell of it...because rules are ultimately what separate us from murderous chimps, our closest genetic relatives. And when people blatantly disregard them, it's like witnessing a slip backwards in our evolution, you know? And as a more vulnerable person of our species (because of my disposition, really), I panic when I see us "slipping back," especially on a political level. When people start saying "oh, these rules don't apply to me," or "I'm too special to have to follow the rules," it feels like watching someone just shove aside everything civilization has achieved to say "I am now in charge and there's nothing anyone can do about it because I am not bound by rules and you can fight me about it." And I'm a lover, not a fighter! :D Scary.
Absolutely. On the macro level that is spot on. On a personal level (using the examples I shared in the personal message) when you let your dog pee on the plants that *I* planted, when you park your car in *MY* space, when you rent out too many units in the building where I live which makes it more difficult for me to sell *MY* unit, you're negatively impacting *ME*. That's not okay. What goes through your head that makes you think that it's okay? I would never treat another person like that.
When you choose not to spay/neuter your pet, it contributes to overpopulation and suffering. Okay, it doesn't DIRECTLY impact me, but it make me really sad to see that suffering. On airplanes or public transit when you're listening to videos or music without headphones, you are being inconsiderate of others. It doesn't cause me great harm but again, what goes through people's heads that makes them think that's okay?
I want people to act right because it's for the greater good and also so that I'm not personally negatively impacted.
I agree with the manager: like a champ.
When you're your own manager, performance reviews are always excellent! :D
Thank you for sharing that, Sarah!
I now have the desire for an opportunity to spend some time around you so that I can decide for myself if it's YOU or THEM! At this point, I want to side with you...
Okay, just let's not make it that border town IHOP hahaha
But then again… what is your problem with waffles? Other than that is NOT what you asked for?? 😋❤️
Sarah, Your waitress issue reminds me of mine with my Mexican cleaner. Every week she puts my stuff in a diferent place, and I just put them back, hoping she will remember where they were after dusting or arranging the couch cushions or laying down the shoe rug. I even wrote a note: Devuelvelo aqui. But it doesn't happen and, living in Ajijic where it is very difficult to find good people because of all the need for them, I JUST SUCK IT UP. So I just go back and put things where I want them. At least my floors are clean, which is really the most important thing for my poor back. It is easier to rant and rave and take my frustrations on Trump , and just as ineffective.
Right! Well, and your maid's not putting things back doesn't have worldwide consequences, haha
I wonder if it's not just a maid thing? Our maid, who is excellent in all respects, likes to do little things that I have to undo when after she leaves--no big deal--like re-tilt the mirror or put the bed pillows back in the way I like them. I think it's a way of showing emphatically that she has been there and has been working. Friends have commented on this as well.