Monday, December 12, 2005

A Book By It's Cover.

Last week I was driving in Parksville when I noticed a teenager hitch-hiking. As we passed him my 16 year old foster kid flipped him the bird. I was so incensed by this, I slammed on the brake, turned around and went back telling Kyle had to apologize to the kid that was hitch hiking. The young man showed a lot of class by shaking Kyle's hand and saying "no problem." I told Kyle that this young man showed a lot more class than he did. As it turned out Kyle didn't even know the kid, he just flipped him the bird because he saw it was a kid around his age. Ok. Here's the point I'm trying to make. Teenagers are often seen as disrespectful, mouthy, potsmoking little snotbags. (You can probably see that I think that way at times too, but I digress.) Anyway, this kid was very polite, very forgiving, and actually tried to have a conversation with Kyle as I drove him to his destination. So, not all teenagers are like this. Some are. I have one. He makes me totally understand why some animals eat their young. LOL But the kid I picked up, had long hair, he wore baggy pants, and looked the part of the usual loser teenager, but was actually a very nice man. OK. What was my point? Oh yeah. It doesn't pay to judge people by their appearance or their stereotype.
To prove my point, Trav looks like a "mean, not so lean, security guard machine", but he has to take his doggy out for a "poo". So there is another example of someone not fitting the stereotype. Sorry Trav. LOL
Anyway, when I told my social worker what happened she laughed and thought it would have been hilarious if I would have made Kyle walk and given the kid a ride. Kyle. Watch out next time your finger sticks out where it doesn't belong. :-)

6 comments:

Trav said...

methinks you need to come out here for a royal arse whooping in balderdash

Margaret said...

What does that have to do with anything I said about stereotyping? Or are you just upset about taking you dog out for a "poo"/ he he he

Becky said...

Trav, I don't think you really want to dare Auntie Margaret to come play Balderdash... As I remember things she usually tooled all over us. I know the truth hurts sometimes, but suck it up.

Trav said...

yeah beck, i guess you're right... auntie margaret would be too much of a challenge for me, i guess i'll just settle for tooling you guys

Melanie said...

I can't believe how long it's been since I had a good game of Balderdash. All I think of is Squabash, whenever I play, and Glen? doing Roadstuds, and Becky saying I'll show you yours if you'll show me mine! Cracks me up every time. However, regarding Kyle, I thought he was a sweet kid when I met him, although very insecure. I can't imagine having no one in the whole world who really cared about me. Look at how much we all get just from hearing from each other every day, and knowing what's going on. I don't know about everyone else, but it makes me feel connected, and I can't imagine not having that sense, and not having the hope for it. I'd flip off every person I saw, and probably be a terrible person. How do you deal with not being loved when that is what we're all created for? How do you deal with it so young? Crap, now I want to cry, and I just want to say that I'm grateful for you all, and for the fact that I never have to face what that little boy is facing, and never have to find out what a horrible human being I'd turn out to be if I were in his shoes. But for the grace of God... Glad you're blogging auntie Margaret.

Margaret said...

Thanks Mel,
I agree about the feeling of being connected. The sad thing is that he could have had it. I don't know if you read my first entry. As for him being a sweet kid, he is. Until he gets a way to buy drugs. Then comming off that makes him an absolute menace, mostly to himself, but occassionally to Jack or Jasmine. At that point he isn't so "sweet", but even more in need of someone standing by him. So thanks for giving me another look at him from someone else's eyes.