Unsent Letter, and a rant

[kellinator]

Dear Asshat Student,

When you come in my office and go on about how you didn't receive the articles that I put in your mail file and how you can't possibly imaaaaaagine that anyone else took them, you are in effect calling me a liar. I don't like people who call me liars. Now kindly get the fuck out of my office before I tell you to go fuck yourself and lose my job.

They really don't pay me enough for this shit,
Kelly


I've been thinking lately, and I think the thing that fuels most of my barely-concealed rage at the world these days is the fact that I don't ever get to call bullshit. Yesterday I saw an entire gaggle of students just wander out into the street when they didn't have the light, making not the slightest effort to hurry up and get out of the way of the poor motorist who had the light. And these are the same people who probably scare the hell out of pedestrians with their monster SUVs when they're behind the wheel. And I can't do anything about it. I couldn't do anything about the election, either. I can't do a damn thing about the problem students who continually ignore the instructions I give them and keep submitting requests for things that are up on the third floor, if they could just get their lazy asses up there to get it. They can be a snot to me, but I always have to be "professional". Why the hell isn't it professional to say "I'm not your mommy, so stop acting like a baby"? I hate the way they look at me. I know I'm as smart as most of them, quite possibly smarter, but the thought of one of those careers where you have to sell your soul and give up everything that's good in life makes me sick, so I'm stuck putting up with the shit of those who don't mind selling their souls because they probably never had one in the first place. For once, I'd like to call bullshit and have it make a difference.

This turned out a lot angrier than I expected...

Comments

[jerseygirl1.livejournal.com]

That is how I feel about my boss... she does so many things that are unethical, and yet when I try to question all I do is get into trouble. Now that I am transferring I am afraid to do anything that will be carried over to the new boss and area of work.

Bitch!

[tikimama.livejournal.com]

My old friend Roger, who was a repo man in South Central LA (no joke), used to say the world would be a better place if we could yell "Bullshit!" when people tried to lie to you. I think there is merit in that. People would be less willing to start lying if they thought you were going to yell at any moment and publically humiliate them.

Of course, you would have to use it sparingly, or the world would be a noisy place.

[sempereadem.livejournal.com]

I know I'm as smart as most of them, quite possibly smarter

There is no question of that. It's probably also why it bothers you so much - intelligent people are given to thinking, which is diametrically opposed to a state of benign acceptance.

[stevietee.livejournal.com]

That exact thing happened to me yesterday, students leisurely walking across Clifton, blocking traffic -- that happens all the damn time at that intersection, and I hate it! Ergh!

[teague.livejournal.com]

You might benefit from a community I just recently joined myself. dear_customer. It's funny often, sometimes sad, and allows you to vent your rage.

[unanon.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes....on so many levels yes.

*sighs contentedly* I've been having a few bloodthirsty days here lately and...inexplicably...posts of thinly containted rage have a soothing effect on me.

So thanks!

[rocketmelee.livejournal.com]

The one time I shouted "Bullshit!" was one of the more satisfying moments of my life.

...of course, I was fired the next day...

Here's what we need to do. We need to find a substitute for crying bullshit that makes you feel better, lets the offender know what's what, and yet remains socially acceptable. I firmly believe this can be done.

[gaiagurl.livejournal.com]

believe me, i understand... that's probably one of the biggest reasons i wound up using various ljs to rant so damned much. it's an outlet i wouldn't have otherwise.

[grniiis.livejournal.com]

Hey--there are a lot of pretty direct and still tactful ways to tell someone off, or at least put them in their place and express yourself and your frustration for their stupidity/ignorance/insults/smartass/etc.

I went to college for my airplane mechanic degree--while the rest of the campus had to be a little more passive, the aviation professors were giving it to you straight, cause after all, that is the REAL WORLD. For ie: when someone would bitch about a pop-quiz, etc, one professor would just look at us and say "wahhh!!" like a baby crying. It became pretty funny--it was a simple way to say I've heard enough of that.

margarita make it all better??? (temporarily anyway) I've been packing all week and moving first thing Saturday, I think it is just what the Dr. ordered.

[kellinator.livejournal.com]

Great idea. I'm open to suggestions.

and btw, awaiting your email with bated breath!

[jerseygirl1.livejournal.com]

How about, "Hrmm... I do not beleive that is standard procedure... let me call my supervisor (or add another high-ranking official here) and you can tell him/her what you told me."

Okay, it may not work.... but it would work on a spineless liar!

that sucks!

[thermidor.livejournal.com]

can I buy you a beer?

[vertigomac.livejournal.com]

They do this whenever I have to drive through Emory; just mill around and stand in the middle of the road or walk reeeaaal sllloooww.

I can't look at a group of college kids, with that arrogant yet stupid attitude of theirs, without thinking, "Hmmm, how many of you, in five years, will be doing what you want? How many will have divorces, unwanted pregs, mind-numbing jobs, jail time?"

This always cheers me up...

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

That is a GREAT idea, actually.

It helps if your supervisor is willing to back you up, of course.

[flewellyn.livejournal.com]

Man, if I were your boss, calling "bullshit!" would be SOP.

[captain-bob.livejournal.com]

Don't sweat the small stuff!

[jerseygirl1.livejournal.com]

Mine is not, so I would have to pick someone else.

[mizdandylynn.livejournal.com]

You may be right on there when you say more rage ensues because you can't call bullshit. That is one perk of my job with students. I can and do... I hold them accountable. I wonder what you can do to hold them more accountable. Bah.. working with the public is never easy.. no matter what you do it is not what they wanted you to do. Idiots... ok... I'm sorry... I think I love to empathy rant...*grin* Just let me know if I can ever rant for you.. or take your rant out on my students. I admit one student got the short end of the stick when I saw him be rude to a secretary the other day...

May I be able to teach my students to be nicer to those who are working to help them.. and if they mess up.. may they accept their own mistakes. Amen