![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
storytimewithjoe) wrote2011-03-07 01:17 pm
SCA.D.D. - an SCA rant
There’s something about an SCA event that is like a laser-light show to an attention-deficit child who just sucked down his 11th pixie stick. There are so many colors, and sounds, and sights, and faces that a lot of people get really excited and, I believe, sometimes tend to forget some very basic manners.
Just as an example, at one point on Saturday I found myself sitting in my chair talking to a friend of mine sitting next to me – or at least I was trying to. As I began the conversation, the subject-of-which I knew she would be interested in, another person appeared out of the blue, interrupting me mid-sentence, to announce that they had arrived, ask what is going on, say hello, act bubbly, etc. Following the interruption, I started over, only to be interrupted again by a second person. This then happened again…
…and again…
… and yet again!…
By the fifth time I started repeating the exact same sentence only to be interrupted by somebody barging in, I remember uttering a very loud, “Oh come OOOON already!!!!!” to nobody in particular, frustrated as all get-out by the constant barrage of interruption from people who just had-to-had-to-had-to stop by, say hello, and hold some form of small talk. At this point, giving up on trying to have a conversation, I just got up from my chair to wander around and cool off.
I cannot say that I was really angry at any one person in particular. Nor can I say that any one person did anything in particular that was so egregiously rude as to cause offense. But the repetition of the same exact impolite behavior five times in a row really made my blood boil. I mean seriously, whatever happened to just basic, old fashioned, politeness?
If two people are speaking, and are clearly in the middle of a conversation, there is nothing wrong with standing there quietly. But for cryin’ out loud – WAIT YOUR TURN! Wait until there is a lull in the conversation. Wait until you have a clear signal. Or in the very least, WAIT UNTIL THE PERSON FINISHES SPEAKING A SENTENCE!
I really hope I’m not sounding like the grumpy old man, shaking his cane at the kids on the lawn, but seriously people – as adults, we should show each other some basic respect and courtesy. Such a repeated violation of common respect made me think that I had walked into a kindergarten class, as opposed to a grouping of adults. I understand we’re all happy to be there. I understand we’re all happy to see each other. I understand we’re all excited. But still, I don’t think that should excuse leaving our manners in the trunk.
Am I off-base here?
no subject
no subject
This. Is. So. True.
no subject
Grrrr. This is a behaviour that I cannot stand. If you don't have enough respect for me to at least let me finish my damn sentence, then I mentally check you off the list of people that matter...
no subject
While it is wonderful that people want face time with you and that they are obviously delighted to see you, they are also telling the other individual that they are more important in the level of importance to your life.
Hopefully you were able to finish your conversation with your friend and that she understood why you were frustrated.
Re: Largest Ebook Library 2
no subject
I confess though that I'm often guilty of this. I'm just so excited to see my friends. I'll work on it. :0
no subject
And by the way, the 5th person did not realize there were 4 other people being rude ahead of them. Not excusing the behavior, but still...
no subject
And I also agree with you on the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation that you describe. And I hadn't thought about that.
I guess when it comes down to it, I need to be better about being patient and realizing that sometimes I just cannot have a one on one conversation in a group setting.
you know...