The conventions of polite behavior may differ from culture to culture, but I like to imagine there is a certain baseline that runs true. Like lines of latitude and longitude, these red threads of commonality encompass the globe helping us navigate social situations with grace and decorum.
That is the ideal. Then, there is WonderGirl.
My parents, in a semi-uncharacteristic act of generosity, offered to bring food to WonderGirl's house for Memorial Day Weekend. With the new baby and her subsequent period of confinement, they brought food and all the fixings to grill out so that she wouldn't miss out on the holiday.
The barbecue and conversation were well-received and pleasant. They talked, laughed, oohed and aahed over the baby. My parents cleaned everything up, then joined WonderGirl and her new husband on the couch to watch an evening movie. It was at some point during the film that WonderGirl and her husband got up, went to the kitchen, fixed themselves bowls of ice cream and returned to the living room. Nothing in hand for my parents. No offer to my parents was forthcoming.
The sad thing is that as flabbergasted as I am on the one hand, I am not surprised in the least on the other. That is WonderGirl in a nutshell. People exist to take care of her. Why my mother thought things would be any different is a lesson is selective memory. When you hope against hope that someone will grow and mature, disappointment often follows.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
I Scream, You Scream
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6 comments:
We probably all have a Wondergirl in our lives. In my case, it's a Wonderboy...also known as the unabomber. Just thinking about him pisses me off.
I can't figure out who Wonder Girl is. Your sister? Either way, I know her. Actually more than one of her and not exclusively girls...
I am living with so much disappointment lately. Wondergirl is just like someone I know.They never learn. They never take responsibility. They always disappoint. Always.
Wait, this chick lives with you? She must be family, right?
I don't think she should have been expected to just *bring* ice cream out for everyone, but she most definitely should have said something along the lines of, "I'm getting me some yummy ice cream. Who's in?"
You have weird friends/family. We all do...
people are strange. I had similar problems with certain friends of mine we just met up with in London a couple weeks ago. Just strange, strange, non-normal people behavior similar to what you describe. These people just pick apart the fabric of society, don't they?
@hereinfranklin: Instant blood pressure issues? I hear ya.
@AFM: Yeah, stupidity of this magnitude seems to easily cross the gender divide.
@BuddhaGirl: Always.
@Joe: No, I don't think they should have automatically served everyone, but a shout of "hey, does anyone want ice cream" from the kitchen would have been appropriate.
@Blue: I like that. Pick apart the fabric of society. Very poetic. Astute observation.
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