Just venting ... feel free to ignore ...

[wyntir_knight]

Why is it that it only takes a small group of loud idiots to make an entire group look like morons?

It's the day after Mother's Day and now there are various lj groups that have been flooded with variants on the following statement: "OMG! They wished me a Happy Mother's Day! I'm CF, god-dammit!"

You know, I started working in retail when I was 16. It was a little card and gift shop, and when Mother's Day rolled around everyone wished me a happy Mother's Day. I was 16, so probably not a mother, but I smiled and wished them the best on the holiday too. Heck, I got wished a happy Father's Day too, even though I was obviously female.

It's called being pleasant. It's called being nice. And yet, there are certain members of the Child Free community who insist on making them all look bat-shit insane. Is it really that hard to wish someone a Happy Mother's Day/Valentine's Day/Christmas/whatever without it turning into hysterics?

Now I know that what I am talking about is just an impression, a stereotype, if you will. And stereotypes are unfair and untrue. I am sure that not all Pagans dance naked around toadstools. And I am sure that not all Furries don costumes and sleep with everything that moves. And I am just as sure that not all C-Fers have their heads stuck up their asses. But on days like Mother's Day, there sure are a minority that are trying to make it look that way.

Comments

[poptartodoom.livejournal.com]

I know this was just venting, but I was curious to see the ranting and raving you were referring to (while I am childfree, I don't frequent any childfree communities.) After a little searching, I found some awesome bipolar blogs that have given me a bit of a new fire for writing my children's book. So I know it's a roundabout sort of thing, but thanks! You've helped me find more of my own people. ^_^

[wyntir-rose.livejournal.com]

Amazingly the ranting's not appearing on the childfree communities this year. This year, as with most, it's in a lot of the retail oriented groups. And I admit that I may have exageratted when using the term flooded (10 complaints is not a flood, I know).

But the thing is, I see this all the time and not just with Mother's Day. I don't know if these retail folks are going for a reaction or if they are truly this ... adamant on their position.

And your welcome. From what I've seen, the childfree community is made up of some really nice people (a few bad apples, too, but they're everywhere).

[tiamat1972.livejournal.com]

"Why is it that it only takes a small group of loud idiots to make an entire group look like morons."

It's the whole bad apple cliche. And it's not restricted to CF people. Every "group" has the loud idiots that make the rest look bad.

I agree with you. Working in retail, you have to acknowledge the holiday. It's required by your employer at a lot of places. And there is no way for the poor sales clerk to know what your lifestyle choices are unless you actually have your kids in tow. And even then, they might not be yours. Nieces and nephews anyone? A friend's children? Better to err on the side of courtesy.

[wyntir-rose.livejournal.com]

Amazingly, a number of the complaints I've seen this year (and over the years) have been from the retail workers who are complaining that the customer wishes them a Happy Mother's Day. And it's a lose/lose situation. The clerk wishes the customer a Happy Mother's Day. If the customer wishes it back he's an idiot and if he doesn't he's a jerk.

[tiamat1972.livejournal.com]

*rolls eyes and shakes head*

Where do these people come from? Sheesh.

[amethystlight.livejournal.com]

CF, don't have my head up my ass. ;)

Heck, on Sunday, we had customers wishing the pharmacist a Happy Mother's Day and he's a...he. I think it's simply a "holiday" mentality. Might as well wish everyone "have a happy Day" and all that.

Small groups of idiots are just a fact of life, unfortunately.

[wyntir-rose.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know. And the only reason I bring up CF in this at all is the fact that these people use being CF as an excuse to be assholes.

I have to get used to idiots. They're everywhere, infiltrating every group. It just makes me feel bad they they are the vocal ones and make the entire goup look like extremists.

[m-danson.livejournal.com]

I'm also CF and don't believe that children should cease to exist... but I know a CF woman who does believe that and I wish she would just shut up. I avoid her. It is one of those "please don't do me the favour of being on my side please" situations.

[wyntir-rose.livejournal.com]

Exactly. It's a huge pity because the exception doesn't make the rule, but these people are making all CF look like loose cannons who are just as likely to drown a baby as soon as look at it.

*sigh* But as amethystlight said, idiots are a fact of life. I have to get used to it.

[lstarrunner.livejournal.com]

It's the same thing with Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Yule. (I tried to do it alphabetically and I'm sorry if I misspelled half of them.) I don't care what holiday a person is recognizing: if you wish me a happy day, I will wish you one back and feel thankful that you not only didn't curse me but wished me well. Why is that so hard for that small percentage of loud-mouths? Just because you personally don't celebrate a particular holiday doesn't mean you can't accept the offer to share kindness from someone who does. It's not hypocritical to share their happiness; you're not taking it from them, they're offering it to you.

I know, I'm preaching to the choir.

And the world would be a better place if more people loosened up and danced naked more often. Around toadstools, bonfires, better yet, their own kitchen tables. Life's too short to be uptight all the time!