Tuesday, March 03, 2015

IN A HANDBASKET


Juan comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He's got two large bags over his shoulders. The guard stops him and says, "What's in the bags?"

"Sand," answered Juan.

The guard says, "We'll just see about that. Get off the bike." The guard detains Juan overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags. He releases Juan and lets him cross the border.

A week later, the same thing happens. The guard asks, "What's in the bags?"

"Sand," says Juan.

The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand. He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle.

This sequence of events is repeated every week for three years.

Finally, Juan doesn't show up one day and the guard meets him in a Cantina in Mexico.

"Hey Buddy," says the guard, "I know you are smuggling something. It's driving me crazy. It's all I think about...Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?"

Juan sips his beer and says, "Bicycles."



Yes, as I cranky old man, I’m telling you this country indeed is going to Hell in a hand basket! There are too many things wrong in society today that really anger me. Now you know I’m a sweet, calm and level headed guy that doesn’t get too excited, but…

I was driving the other day and there is a turning lane next to me that allows you to turn left. Behind me is a young man in a beat up old car and immediately my radar is turned on to him. We are stopped at a light and he is now next to me. Sure enough the light turns green and instead of turning left, Batsman decides to pass me. A cute little trick but it scares the Hell out of me, and left TLW (The Little Woman) speechless. I never realized that driving crazy was all it took!

When I was growing up, I was taught by my parents, teachers and clergy that there has to be some courtesy extended to older people and women in particular. If a lady is getting into your car, you hold the door open for her as a respectful show of her rightful place in society as one who is responsible for the propagation of the species. Without women, there would be no children, no calm and no sense in this world as a whole. Just ask your mom if you don’t believe me. Yet what I see is young people just not holding doors for their wives or girlfriends, I do it for TLW and I think it is something we should continue to do to help us all keep our places in society strong.

I have to say that when I enter the gym for my workout, or leaving it afterward, the young guys do hold the door for me if I am heading in that direction. But I see many younger people leaving buildings and not bothering to be courteous at all. Old people seem to do it for each other but the custom is dying out!

Then there is the barking dog. There are dog owners who will leave their dogs out all day, and the poor animal will bark all day long! These are people who shouldn’t own a dog, not only is it cruel to the dog, it is annoying to the neighbors, and don’t you hear your dog-barking owner?

Ever go into a theatre or supermarket and try to get by people who just stand in the aisle, oblivious to your wishing to pass by? They pretend they don’t see you and want to cause you to walk around them. These morons get only one chance with me, because if I’m coming back and they don’t move, a shove will do it.

Then there is my favorite: the parker who intentionally parks either on a particular angle or over the lines so no one will park next to him/her because they have a brand new car and are afraid of getting a ding in the side. Well guess what, you can’t do that the rest of your car loan: eventually someone will nail you both figuratively and literally!

So folks, let’s be courteous and not selfish, make nice and watch out for each other.





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1 comment:

Diana said...

Right on the mark, Joseph. Manners today, not even just toward the elderly, but to anyone in general, have gone right out the window. It's a shame, because we teach our children what we know is the proper and courteous thing to do, but it seems "some" in the generations coming up are oblivious to anything except, "it's all about me", and that's a shame. Ive held the door open many times for "younger" people, not even to get a smile or a thank you. It's "expected" I guess. What the heck happened? Is it something in the air? LOL!! All's I can say is " God Bless the generations coming up!!"