Things I find a tad exasperating v.3

[King Postwhore]

Lol. I do every day.

[jingle.boy]

Lol. I do every day.

Especially today after last night.

[wolfking]

People who don’t have children, but have pets.

Talk about fucking insecure.

[King Postwhore]

Especially today after last night.

My sister in law made a silly tree. They are going bananas right now.

[pg1067]

I could sure live without Valentines Day I’ll give you that.

With my wife's and my birthdays are in October, then Christmas, and then our anniversary in January, my wife and I mutually agreed many years ago to ignore V-Day.

[wolfking]

Agree, Valentines Day is a load of shit.

[Stadler]

I think I'm with Bart, mostly, on this.  While I get the push back to the commercialization of these things, and the formality, and the false creation of the expectation, I do think it's probably not the worst thing in the world to be kinder to people in our lives. 

(Funny story, except if you're one of the principals: a friend of mine has been forced to address a staffing issue in her organization, and finally came to the unfortunate resolution that she had to let someone go.  She made the plans to replace them, etc. and with flex time working had to coordinate when everyone was in the office to actually pull the trigger.   She gets in to the office that day and someone says "Happy Admins Day!"  She's like "wait, what?  I'm letting my admin person go on Administrative Assistant's Day?!?!?"   I told her, though, that one made up "holiday" doesn't change the performance over the last three, four years and doesn't change the decision. If nothing else, when we're old (well, older) and gray (well, grayer) you'll have a great story to tell.)

[cramx3]

People who don’t have children, but have pets.

Thought this was making you exasperated and was about to be offended 

[hefdaddy42]

Talk about fucking insecure.

What are you talking about?

[TAC]

I think I'm with Bart, mostly, on this.  While I get the push back to the commercialization of these things, and the formality, and the false creation of the expectation, I do think it's probably not the worst thing in the world to be kinder to people in our lives. 

Yes, I totally agree, and I agreed with what Bart said.  He had a very reasonable post, and I expected nothing else.

I still think it sounds soft though. And I get it, we have Secretary Day, Bosses Day, Mailman Day. WTF? Everyone gets a day.

[cramx3]

Yes, I totally agree, and I agreed with what Bart said.  He had a very reasonable post, and I expected nothing else.

I still think it sounds soft though. And I get it, we have Secretary Day, Bosses Day, Mailman Day. WTF? Everyone gets a day.

Yeah, add me to the group that's not a fan of a day for everyone and every thing, that's just like.... every day.

I should also add, not a fan of mothers/fathers day either.  That's not meant to disrespect my parents, I love them, but I just have always hated those days from my childhood and still now. 

[Stadler]

Well, there's another level to this that I've avoided 'till now.  I didn't grow up this way - we weren't a very loving or touchy-feely family - but as I got into college and started to learn about the world, I ended up sort of going against the family grain.  I told my parents I loved them.   When we got to the point that we knew time was running short I got to hug my dad and tell him I loved him and that I wouldn't be the man I am without him, full stop.  I didn't need a day, or a card, or anything like that.  I held him (he was frail from cancer) and told him what I needed to say.  I did the same with my mom. 

I don't know how Wolfie means it, but I really DO think this is a sign of our insecurity as a nation.  It really feels like we - collective - need these affirmations and that they serve more as virtue signaling than any sincere expression of gratitude.  I would ALWAYS call my mom and dad on mothers/fathers day, and my kids are great with it too.  But I always tell them, don't waste money on a card or any of that; make sure you help your mother bring the groceries in.  Don't leave your tools/toys/whatever in the yard where I can hit them with the mower.  Just, generally, be a good human.  That means more to me.

[TAC]

Well, there's another level to this that I've avoided 'till now.  I didn't grow up this way - we weren't a very loving or touchy-feely family - but as I got into college and started to learn about the world, I ended up sort of going against the family grain.  I told my parents I loved them.   When we got to the point that we knew time was running short I got to hug my dad and tell him I loved him and that I wouldn't be the man I am without him, full stop.  I didn't need a day, or a card, or anything like that.  I held him (he was frail from cancer) and told him what I needed to say.  I did the same with my mom. 

I don't know how Wolfie means it, but I really DO think this is a sign of our insecurity as a nation.  It really feels like we - collective - need these affirmations and that they serve more as virtue signaling than any sincere expression of gratitude.  I would ALWAYS call my mom and dad on mothers/fathers day, and my kids are great with it too.  But I always tell them, don't waste money on a card or any of that; make sure you help your mother bring the groceries in.  Don't leave your tools/toys/whatever in the yard where I can hit them with the mower.  Just, generally, be a good human.  That means more to me.

I'm on board with pretty much all of this and it reflects a lot of my experience as well.

[El Barto]

Well, there's another level to this that I've avoided 'till now.  I didn't grow up this way - we weren't a very loving or touchy-feely family - but as I got into college and started to learn about the world, I ended up sort of going against the family grain.  I told my parents I loved them.   When we got to the point that we knew time was running short I got to hug my dad and tell him I loved him and that I wouldn't be the man I am without him, full stop.  I didn't need a day, or a card, or anything like that.  I held him (he was frail from cancer) and told him what I needed to say.  I did the same with my mom. 

I don't know how Wolfie means it, but I really DO think this is a sign of our insecurity as a nation.  It really feels like we - collective - need these affirmations and that they serve more as virtue signaling than any sincere expression of gratitude.  I would ALWAYS call my mom and dad on mothers/fathers day, and my kids are great with it too.  But I always tell them, don't waste money on a card or any of that; make sure you help your mother bring the groceries in.  Don't leave your tools/toys/whatever in the yard where I can hit them with the mower.  Just, generally, be a good human.  That means more to me.

Seems to me that it's more of a manufactured expectation. You call your parents on mothers/fathers day because you're a dick if you don't. I didn't create the rule, Hallmark did, but once it became established I kind of had no choice but to go along with it. I get the virtue signaling part, but is there really any sort of affirmation there?

[cramx3]

Yeah, I'm on board with Stadler's statements as well.

I was just joking with my coworker about cinco de mayo.  Like yesterday my social media was filled with people either eating mexican food or drinking margaritas (or both).  I eat and drink this stuff all the time, I don't need this day to "celebrate" and I feel the same for St. Patty's day.  It's such an odd American thing to just drink on these days as if its an excuse to do so.  We are adults here, I don't need some fake holiday to enjoy Mexican or Irish culture. 

[Stadler]

Seems to me that it's more of a manufactured expectation. You call your parents on mothers/fathers day because you're a dick if you don't. I didn't create the rule, Hallmark did, but once it became established I kind of had no choice but to go along with it. I get the virtue signaling part, but is there really any sort of affirmation there?

Not so much with Fathers/Mothers day, but certainly the others; there's obviously not any "CEO's Day!" or "Senior to Middle Manager Leader of Staffs of Greater than 5 but not quite 25 Day".  I think the obvious answer is "well, of course not, they're getting paid" but I don't think that's accurate. I think these things are a way of creating a false sense of worth for some people to identify with, rather than teaching them to find that value within.

EDIT:  Same to Marc's point.  I agree completely, and most of my friends and I call these days "amateur hour". 

I get this is a cynical take on things, but we live in cynical times. 

[Chino]

I think the daily celebrations are pretty dumb, but I like the annual markers. For me, it's got little to do with celebrating cultures, and everything to do with a bunch of people getting together to share a common vibe. Maybe it's due to the portion of my soul that corporate American has crushed, but I long for those kind of days. I don't think I've ever celebrated a Cinco De Mayo outside of of going to Senor Ponchos, which I do about once a month anyway, but I love a good St. Patrick's Day celebration. It's almost like a Halloween of sorts. Another day that means precisely dick in the grand scheme of things, but it's a scheduled moment where we all have the green light to just let loose a little and switch off for a few hours. I could barbeque any day of the week, but I look forward to Memorial Day and 4th of July the most because everyone is down to party and hang out. Same goes for all the other holidays now that I think of it. They're all just excuses to get together with people, and I think that's fine.

[cramx3]

there's obviously not any "CEO's Day!" or "Senior to Middle Manager Leader of Staffs of Greater than 5 but not quite 25 Day".

Noy yet.

[Stadler]

I think the daily celebrations are pretty dumb, but I like the annual markers. For me, it's got little to do with celebrating cultures, and everything to do with a bunch of people getting together to share a common vibe. Maybe it's due to the portion of my soul that corporate American has crushed, but I long for those kind of days. I don't think I've ever celebrated a Cinco De Mayo outside of of going to Senor Ponchos, which I do about once a month anyway, but I love a good St. Patrick's Day celebration. It's almost like a Halloween of sorts. Another day that means precisely dick in the grand scheme of things, but it's a scheduled moment where we all have the green light to just let lose a little and switch off for a few hours. I could barbeque any day of the week, but I look forward to Memorial Day and 4th of July the most because everyone is down to party and hang out. Same goes for all the other holidays now that I think of it. They're all just excuses to get together with people, and I think that's fine.

GREAT restaurant. 

[Chino]

Noy yet.

Boss' Day is pretty close.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss%27s_Day

Boss's Day (also written Bosses Day or Boss' Day) is generally observed on or around October 16th in the United States. It has been pitched as a day for employees to thank their bosses for being kind and fair throughout the year. The concept has been opposed as nothing more than a meaningless Hallmark Holiday, as well as placing unfair pressure on employees to kowtow to managers who earn more than they do while exercising power over them.[1]

[Chino]

GREAT restaurant.

We go for Taco Tuesday's whenever. At the bar they have taco menus (like drink menus but with tacos), and you can order tacos at your own pace like drinks. I'll get a beer and a steak taco, and then another beer and a pork belly taco, etc.. We love going there.

[El Barto]

Not so much with Fathers/Mothers day, but certainly the others; there's obviously not any "CEO's Day!" or "Senior to Middle Manager Leader of Staffs of Greater than 5 but not quite 25 Day".  I think the obvious answer is "well, of course not, they're getting paid" but I don't think that's accurate. I think these things are a way of creating a false sense of worth for some people to identify with, rather than teaching them to find that value within.

EDIT:  Same to Marc's point.  I agree completely, and most of my friends and I call these days "amateur hour". 

I get this is a cynical take on things, but we live in cynical times.

I don't disagree with this, but I still want to point out that it's not the secretaries, the parents, the senior managers, or the pet parents that are clamoring for this. I guess I'm just pushing back on the last sentence a little. I don't know if it's what you mean, but you make it sound like it's affirmation of worth by the parents (pet or human), secretaries, and senior managers. I'd say it's (aside from a cash grab for florists and Russel Stover) more about reminding people of others' worth. For most it's probably not necessary. I actually don't have any problem with secretaries day, though (as evidenced by my tendency to NOT call them executive assistants!).

[pg1067]

To paraphrase a wise man, "Given that Saint Valentine was a third century Roman priest who was stoned and beheaded, . . . a more appropriate celebration of [Valentine's Day would] be [to] tak[e] one’s steady gal to witness a brutal murder."

[wolfking]

What are you talking about?

The need to accommodate to every single type of person out there that doesn't fit the bill of a specific holiday to make people happy or feel somewhat special.  My comment probably comes across like this idea is driven by people that class their pets as children, which wasn't the case, I think just as a society it shows we are leaning towards a more insecure society and this just seems like inclusiveness at another level.

Before you say I'm reading way too much into it, yes I know.

[wolfking]

Yes, I totally agree, and I agreed with what Bart said.  He had a very reasonable post, and I expected nothing else.

I still think it sounds soft though. And I get it, we have Secretary Day, Bosses Day, Mailman Day. WTF? Everyone gets a day.

Exactly my point.  Getting fucking stupid and soft.

[wolfking]

Well, there's another level to this that I've avoided 'till now.  I didn't grow up this way - we weren't a very loving or touchy-feely family - but as I got into college and started to learn about the world, I ended up sort of going against the family grain.  I told my parents I loved them.   When we got to the point that we knew time was running short I got to hug my dad and tell him I loved him and that I wouldn't be the man I am without him, full stop.  I didn't need a day, or a card, or anything like that.  I held him (he was frail from cancer) and told him what I needed to say.  I did the same with my mom. 

I don't know how Wolfie means it, but I really DO think this is a sign of our insecurity as a nation.  It really feels like we - collective - need these affirmations and that they serve more as virtue signaling than any sincere expression of gratitude.  I would ALWAYS call my mom and dad on mothers/fathers day, and my kids are great with it too.  But I always tell them, don't waste money on a card or any of that; make sure you help your mother bring the groceries in.  Don't leave your tools/toys/whatever in the yard where I can hit them with the mower.  Just, generally, be a good human.  That means more to me.

Should have read all the posts first.  This.

[Jamesman42]

...happy teacher's appreciation week, everyone

[ReaperKK]

Wow a whole week and summers off? Sheeshhh

jk... happy teachers appreciation week my dude. You do a great service.

[Adami]

...happy teacher's appreciation week, everyone

Ugh, talk about an overrated and over praised profession.

 

[Stadler]

I don't disagree with this, but I still want to point out that it's not the secretaries, the parents, the senior managers, or the pet parents that are clamoring for this. I guess I'm just pushing back on the last sentence a little. I don't know if it's what you mean, but you make it sound like it's affirmation of worth by the parents (pet or human), secretaries, and senior managers. I'd say it's (aside from a cash grab for florists and Russel Stover) more about reminding people of others' worth. For most it's probably not necessary. I actually don't have any problem with secretaries day, though (as evidenced by my tendency to NOT call them executive assistants!).

I don't think we're miles apart here; I'm not sure it matters WHO is starting it, it's this belief that these virtue-signaling shout outs are necessary.   To me, it's less than honest, and diluted.  I think we'd be better served by more personal, one-on-one expressions of gratitude than these grand gestures. 

I've said this before:  we - Americans - have gotten really REALLY good at the grand gesture, the extravagance, and we BLOW at the smaller, more meaningful (arguably), more personal gestures.   The same people giving the finger on the highway because the other guy had the temerity to pick the lane that was being merged instead of the lane that was receiving the merge is also, odds on, the one with yellow ribbons on their facebook, and BOSTON STRONG! t-shirts, etc.   I'm sorry to be so cynical, but I think most of those things are the easy, selfish way to signal to others how great we are instead of doing the unselfish, hard work of actually BEING great (or greater, at least). 

[hefdaddy42]

Before you say I'm reading way too much into it, yes I know.

[King Postwhore]

The need to accommodate to every single type of person out there that doesn't fit the bill of a specific holiday to make people happy or feel somewhat special.  My comment probably comes across like this idea is driven by people that class their pets as children, which wasn't the case, I think just as a society it shows we are leaning towards a more insecure society and this just seems like inclusiveness at another level.

Before you say I'm reading way too much into it, yes I know.

I treat my cats as children.  My wife and I tried for a decade to have children.  As well as in vitro 3 times.  We were heartbroken.  The cats have filled a void in our lives. 

[XJDenton]

Seems like there's enough people who think there are too many holidays to justify a special day just for them!

[hefdaddy42]

Seems like there's enough people who think there are too many holidays to justify a special day just for them!

Time for Curmudgeon's Day!

[TAC]

Time for Curmudgeon's Day!

Yay! Finally I have my special day!!!