Off The Reservation

PART 2

While this was taking place the rest of us have to suffer the indignity of having our server come over and finally take our drink order, which engenders another round of the quest for the perfect beverage the tykes will agree to swill and spill down their neck. Expect a change or seven until all are satisfied. At last, fool that I am, I THINK we’re ready to order While this is taking place, a half-hour at least if there are a half-dozen “chirren”, the rest our meal, and gesture for our friendly but frustrated waitress to saunter over with recording implements in hand. We usually incorporate further delay by either a fist-fight between siblings, or OOOPS, Rotten Ess Steven has loaded up his britches again, and this will require a trip to the “Ladies” (shrews) room of at least half the females in our group to put him to rights. I try to cover by begging for bread, but usually find out it only comes with the order, and then only if EACH order specifically allows for said addendum. Uncle Nash has been known to whip out a fiver, and pay for an extra round of grain ‘n butter just to keep the wolves of starvation at bay.

Okey Dokey, all elves are in formation, 11 orders of fused chicken parts and grease or velveeta mac have been placed along with the adult dishes. All the conversation centers around children and their various boring activities of course, of course! We’re lucky to make it through without a major deluge of kiddie beverage soaking my ribs or steak in lemonade or chocky milk. As we crash to a finish, after chasing one or more around the restaurant who have decided to meet and greet everyone on site by the speed-dating method, it’s now time to decide if anyone wants dessert. No one at first, well………………. maybe we’ll all get ONE and split it 15 ways. This of course starts 6 arguments as to what the final selection will be, and Uncle Nash finally has to take control and order one of everything and 40 garden trowels to share.

Different times indeed. If i got to go out to eat with the grown ups, i was to sit quietly, eat what was ordered for me, and be glad i got to listen to the grown ups talk about grown up stuff. Would have gotten taken to the car and met the belt if decided to make a scene or whine too much.

I blame participation trophy's and the theory behind them

It's all about "Empowerment", of Girls to make them equal to boys, of the weak to make them equal to the strong, and the intellectually challenged to make them equal to the smart. Trouble is, there is no such thing as equality, never has been and never will be! Cue the "But, but, but, but we're all equal under the lawwwwwww", crowd. That is not now and never has been true either. What the "progressives" write that they want is equal opportunity. Bullshit. What they mostly want is equal outcome regardless of effort or merit, and indeed they REALLY want what others have WITHOUT expending the effort to gain it.

However, as they're in the ascendancy, and and as my colleague coachTnole sez: "Here. You showed up - MOST of the time, didn't contribute crap to the whole, but by lending us the light of your presence - YOU TOO will receive a trophy. YAY, now aren't we all equal and happy and isn't life all wonderful and rainbows and unicorns and pop-sickles," it's the order of the day. We dasn't leave anyone out - holy crap - they might start crying.

An earned accolade used to be worth something. Now it seems it's just another one of many of the same encomium.

I still have the MVP and Batting Championship trophies I earned for my athletic efforts, right next to my debate team awards. I don't take them out and fondle them, indeed I prolly will take an hour or so just to find them. However, they represent effort, will, training and performance that transcends feel good pedigrees and touchy feely do good awards for everybody, world without end amen.

Don't get me wrong, love my parents and believe i was raised right. Was not always seen and not heard either, had a lot fun of with my brothers, sisters, and friends growing up. Got into trouble a lot too. Just certain times and places ( church, dinner, company over, or at company's house) i was expected to be on my best behavior.

Absolutely dude. Take trophies for example, they give trophies nowadays for everyone, even the losers.

You can have 7 teams in a little league football run and I guarantee you all 7 teams will get a trophy now. Even the kids who got the crap kicked out of them by the other 6 teams.

Back in the day you either busted your butt and got first place or you tried harder the next year.

when everyone gets a trophy/medal/reward it really takes the motivation out of it. We aren't helping kids/society by doing it, we are diluting the end product with "OK, that was good enough" rather than, "Here is what you can do to become great"

It's not that the girls WANTED to be down-graded, it's that they HAD to be, or the boys would all develop inferiority complexes, sulk, get mad and start knocking over lemonade stands and church bake sales.

My stance is equal opportunity for all as much as reasonably possible, and elevation on merit and accomplishment regardless of anything else. But I guess that would not be "Fair" to the less than capable among us now would it.

I ain't deletin' anything neither!

Ha, now were not sure on that. Maybe you should start posting how much better guys are than girls, and see if you get an up vote...

Children, children. Stop fighting.

Laura I think we found your stalker