At work,we  have shows sometimes for the public. This day, we had a particularly popular show featuring live animals. It fills up very quickly. Once it is full, it’s full; there is no real way to fit more people in without being unfair to the people that are already there. With that in mind, it was my job to let people know that the showing was full, and more people couldn’t come in. Of course, some people wanted to get in after the showing was full. I try to be as gentle, yet firm as possible when telling them they can’t come in. It so happens that this guy comes up with a kid in tow, wanting to get into the show. I say it’s full, and he counters with the sob story of how he came all the way across town to see the show and blah blah blah. I have to say no again and then another time, and he finally goes away. Not without first saying an extremely rude comment about wiping the smirk off my face. I was in shock, and at work, so I didn’t say anything back. I also thought he was gone for good. If only that was the end of the story.

He comes back later with one of the senior guards, obviously having told him the same sob story. Furthermore, there is now a group of people with them wanting to come into the show. Guess what happens? Yes, these people get to go into an already packed showing, no doubt crowding some people who were there on time out of a comfortable spot, as well as making me look like I was just not letting people in out of spite, or something.

Two things really upset me about this situation. The first is this: Why do people think that the world owes them something just because they have a child? They are not more important or special than the other people in the world. Especially than people that can show up on time for an extremely popular show. Having unprotected sex and deciding against an abortion does not convey special privileges or give the right to treat others as mere tools to get what you want. Secondly, I really, REALLY don’t like being made to seem as if I don’t know how to do my job! It frustrates me to the ends of my patience. It’s a particular problem I’ve had with this specific senior guard. When it happens again, I may snap. I want to be able to resolve an issue like this rationally and calmly, but I don’t know if it’s in me. I was raised to show a certain amount of respect for another person’s autonomy, and I try to give others the common courtesy due toward other human beings. I honestly think that this type of respect is being actively discouraged in future generations. That child will grow up, most likely, believing that it is more important than the people around it. That kind of thinking leads to treating other people like objects, which leads to a whole host of other problems not relevant here.

When it comes down to it, I really wanted to say something rude back to that horrible guy (refer to unprotected comment above), but I did the right and professional thing and stilled my tongue. It’s times like these that make me rue my sense of decorum.