Shame that people in society can often be overly cautious of each other

Do you find this? I might be reacting wrongly I don't know, but I think it's quite common.

Basically, I hurt my eye earlier (got something in it) and it was concerning enough that I went into the Minor Injuries part of the local hospital to get it checked out.

While I was waiting for a receptionist, this girl (looked maybe 13-ish) and her dad came in, and she looked like REALLY distressed, I felt so sorry for her ._.

She had a cast on her arm and looked all upset and stuff. I didn't know why she was in there but I was just naturally concerned. And I gave her a smile here and there, and after I'd finished putting my name with the receptionist (I even did this quickly so they could hurry to take them down too so we could all get seen) I sat in a pretty naturally chosen seat - good distance from everyone etc, but near-ish to where this girl was and still occasionally gave a smile, just because I knew she was worried and scared that's all, and I couldn't help but be naturally concerned ._.

What am I supposed to do just not care at all and be all cold and ignore her? Is that really what this country wants people to be like? No wonder our kids get freaked out easy ._.

So aaaanywho she got up and walked up to where her dad was, which is ok, but I just worry that I made her feel uncomfortable (for the record I really don't look threatening lol).

Now like, it's totally ok and all... it's just... I can't help but think that society gets so scared that everybody is a paedophile or some kind of bad person, that we ALL just get alienated and, you know, guilty until proven innocent

(I put that in bold in case this post is too long for some people to read!)

Howcomes I have to feel bad just because some people are?

Hmph.

Reminds me of this song (I love this song) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXL_ZTaA6p4"]alright guy Todd Snider - YouTube

Ok that's all

Peace, everyone ^_^

 

I was going to be a smartass, but I actually agree with you. A tragedy of being a man is the unspoken societal expectation of complete aloofness to children.

 

yeah I know what's up with that O.O

 

Yeah it's very true. There's this community/movement you could say in the blog world kinda led by free-range childhood or free-range kids or something like that. They pull out a lot of stories of men being asked to move in airplanes so they don't end up sitting next to children, etc. basically men being discriminated against because they *could be pedophiles.

 

Probably a consequence to the stranger danger thing. It absolutely makes sense for parents to try and protect their children. But strangers are statistically the last place to look for dangers to children.

 

It's not just kids that get uncomfortable, most people today get uncomfortable when you show a bit of humility.. it's just that by the time we reach adulthood, we've learned to be polite. We smile back at the original smiler and try to say "Ahh thank you, you're very kind", but the eyes say "Fuck off, weirdo.. can't you see I'm trying to be alone here?"

And in the case of old people, at least in the UK, I was always going to break their hips and steal their wallets. Check the shifty eyes, and a slight shuffle away from you.

 

I agree very much with the OP, don't know what it's like in the States, but in the UK there is a
permanent hysteria in the media about paedophiles which is completely over the top
and promotes a very unhealthy paranoia about child safety.

This is a brilliant UK satire that came out a few years ago to illustrate the point, it's true now
more than ever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcU7FaEEzNU"]Brass Eye Episode 07 - Paedogeddon! (Special)

 

I kind of agree with this, but I think that happened because you were staring at her or repeatedly looking at her and smiling. That is a little creepy to most people. If there is repeated eye contact with anyone, kid or not, I say something.

 

It's not just in the U.K. actually I'm surprised it is like that in the U.K. it is very common in the U.S. but I also agree with deviate that it's a good idea to say something and yet that may have even seemed more suspicious depending on who's judging.

 

I hate to say it, but if I were that age, and a man I didn't know repeatedly smiled at me and made eye contact, it would make me uncomfortable, too. I could understand one warm and sympathetic look, but after that, why?

Not that I like that it has to be this way, but it does. Women must perceive every man as a potential threat, to some extent. Any one of them could seriously overpower you, and it happens all to often. That being said, I doubt someone would pull that shit in a hospital waiting room. But still.

 

In regards to having to change seats on airplanes or in other public transportation I have no problem with it at all

 

haha I love that episode! It's totally true

I've seen them all actually. I must say I did prefer The Day Today, but who knows maybe Brasseye made more important points like this.

Agreed

I was just concerned is all. You're bound to be concerned if you see a child clinging to their arm and crying ._.

Sorry, just human is all.

 

It was funny though because I left the hospital in this AMAZING mood because I was really scared for my eye and it turned out it was totally fine!

So I was listening to this song walking away and actually glanced around and then gave some happy jumps on my way away xD

I was just so relieved!

http://176.124.106.110/stuff/lessthanjake-theloudestsongs.mp3

 

This reminds me so much of my mom. In her view every man is a potential predator. And I agree to a certain extent...the problem is where you draw the line.

 

I completely understand where you are coming from, BUT its a little more complicated, because you have to understand, that we live in a world where everyone is so self center, and that they only think of themselves. Not everyone, but most, and its so hard to come to the fact that there are nice individuals out there, and to be honest I would also be a little scared if I were 13 and a 28 started smiling at me repeatedly I am not saying you where wrong, just that maybe.. you went at it the wrong way?.... what I think you should of done was ask her what was wrong after smiling at her once, and try to joke and be funny. but that's just me XD

 

Right, within reason. Most men aren't threats, at all. That being said, a false negative is much more dangerous than a false positive in this situation.

 

in store yesterday.

White women with shopping cart in the checkout almost backed her cart "which I believe, intentionally" over a 2yr old black child. The black women was loading her items on the deck. The child was wondering some, but I picked up the annoyance in the white women when the child stepped closer to her : Im an observant motherfucker sometimes. The white women pulled the cart up to the end to checkout lane. She had no reason to back the empty cart up.

when she did, I could see the shape her face, that spoke I want to smack that little kid. The cart came back really fast. not once, but twice, cause she missed the first time?.. Just missing the child's face.

It was there, it broke me.

Yo, you almost smacked this child in the face with your cart twice. Watch what the fuck you are doing, before I smack the shit out of you!!

Then I apologized to the black women for making a scene.. The white women didnt do shit but snicker. And I gave her a dirty look like, I will fucking kill you and think nothing about it..

They dont bag stuff here. So the white women moved to box her stuff. When I seen a penny on the ground. I gave it to the child, the child gave me a package of bubble gum tape in return. I took it from her and purchased it, and gave to her with her moms permission when they were boxing..

 

Men are threats and should be treated as such until proven otherwise

 

True enough. Makes me wish I was more confident

I guess. It's just a shame that society is so big that... like was being said in that loneliness thread - we don't know everyone or even anywhere CLOSE to everyone, so everyone is a question mark.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to the days of tribes... it would be a lovely sense of community and comfort with others

 

I sort of think they should be treated as non-threats until you have a reason to think that they are.