Life on the Outside

I’ll admit that I have a tendency to rant and rave about certain subjects. Bad drivers for one. Stupidity is another. Corporate America’s unstoppable greed as well. But one of my favorite targets for castigation is the “Entitlement Generation”. These are the tweenies, teens and twenty-somethings who seem to think that the simple act of respiration will entitle them to an expensive car, a high paying job and exemption from all known traffic and speed laws.

But why wouldn’t they. They have been taught by parents, teachers and coaches that all they have to is show up and they’ll be passed on to the next grade or receive a soccer trophy even if the team comes in last. The idea of having to work for success seems to have disappeared almost entirely.

Then something happened that made me rethink my accusatory tendencies. I had gone to one of the many Starbucks in Boulder, this particular one being very close to the university. As I walked up to the counter, I noticed two young men, somewhere in there early twenties, approaching the counter from the opposing direction. When we reached the counter, we all paused then looked at each other for some kind of direction and then the two young men politely told me I should go first.

After I got my coffee, I went around the corner to put in some sugar and realized I had never acknowledged their politeness, never said thank you. In fact, I don’t think I said a single word to either of them. How easy would it have been for these two young men to think I had simply taken it for granted that I should go first in line? Do they think that all middle-aged women act like they’re entitled to preferential treatment? Had I just committed the same selfishness I accuse so many others of?

I quickly walked back over and thanked both of them then walked to the car wondering how often do I only see the selfish acts, the meanness, pettiness and greed in the world and completely miss the kind, polite or giving acts. Hopefully the next time a four-wheel drive land yacht cuts me off, I won’t be so quick to condemn them all. We’ll see.