Sunday, December 28, 2008

Intolerance

Dream day for me yesterday as I went to the movies with my mom to see Doubt(loved it), bowled 4 games with me brother(won 3 games) and played in a card tournament with a good friend(came in 2nd place). In the movie Doubt the priest has one sermon on intolerance and overall I think I am tolerant to much, or at least I think I am.

2 things that I know I'm intolerant of is disrespectful behavior and profanity. Twice on this trip I've become uneasy with the behavior of the local youth. One time in my life I'd quickly refer to them as "white trash." At the movies the other night about 6 teens kept going in and out of the movie and when they were in the theater they were often texting. They'd also leave to go smoke. Also at the bowling alley one kid(maybe 12 years old) was disrespectful to the bowling alley people and I could just tell he wasn't up to any good. Also, as a teacher I don't have much patience with a student who falls way outside the norm of what is expected.

The last thing is profanity, especially frequent use of the F word. I grew up around some of it and had a grandpa use the GD term in every other sentence. Had an uncle that always said "C" sucker with every sentence so it is not like I'm sheltered. Last night I played poker with a largely baptist crew. At least 6 of the 10 were associated with baptist backgrounds. At this poker match there was alcohol which included whiskey, rum and tequilla to mix with drinks. Totally okay with all of that in moderation. Our "gambling" was just for $5 each and by coming in 2nd place I earned $15 for 3 1/2 hours hard work and entertainment. The only thing sour about the night was the use of the "F" word by one lady there. She also threw in a few other words and her boyfriend of many years threw in a few sexual connotations. I'm not sure if they were connected with a church, but it didn't appear so.

Then upon coming home I ended up on the Comedy channel and Chris Rock was on. He said the "F" word in every other sentence. People were laughing and after a few minutes of hoping the dialogue would smooth out I changed the channels.

So, I'm fine with gambling, alcohol in moderation, have bi-racial friends, many friends of different race, have become friends with gay couples. I feel over all I'm very tolerant. I just get repulsed by rude behavior and profanity. I'm not talking about the occasional "SH.." word my mom uses or a random hell or damn. The spirit inside me just doesn't do well with severe and vulgar language.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well Fu.... JUST KIDDING!! I totally understand. I let the F word fly on occasion and probably more than I should but I keep it way down in front of kids and never at work. Working in schools I am surprised there are people that let the language fly in front of other adults.

On the drinking thing. I am fine except when people get tippsy and become an butthead

Huffdaddy

Anonymous said...

Mike...I felt the same about the comments we heard....that couple knew the hosts because of their kids playing soccer together so they were not from our church. hope our lack of cussing maybe was evident to them. JAM

JDHTEACH said...

You need to know the company you are in. Obviously when you play at some peoples houses the language is a bit more. Either way I try to watch myself. Sometimes in frustration with goofy games in poker I lose my cool.

The MAN Fan Club said...

Huffdaddy, I have never let out the F word, but may mumble it to myself on rare occasion. I think I do put myself around people who don't cuss, but once in a while it is out of my control. My mom drops a few mild words and my wife's dad can let a few stronger words out,but not in front of kids.

TheMAN

The MAN Fan Club said...

JAM,

Thanks for taking me as your date. We can't separate ourselves from others and like you bring up, maybe they can see good behavior from us and see that we are different.

TheMAN

Unknown said...

Sorry bro, but seriously think about this comment u made.. " I think I do put myself around people who don't cuss." I do not like to be around the constant cusser either.. and gotta say the last couple times playing cards at the last place we were at, I've not enjoyed it b/c of the cursing. Billy may even remember me commenting to him about the same people last time he was down.. I told him that Psalms 1:1 came to mind.. It seems worse when the wife/kids aren't there, but it really bothered me the last two times. I'm really not sure whether I should go & just be one of the few that aren't cussing & hope to be a light or just distance from them...?

The MAN Fan Club said...

Me, I do agree with you. I commented to him about the friend and his language. He said he talked to him and that it had gotten better. I won't be inviting the friend to my house to play. If it keeps happening then avoid it. I think the one is rubbing off on the other since they spend a lot of time together.

TheMAN

Unknown said...

Yeah, the friend wasn't any better for sure.. & I gotta say they both are about the same so the "getting better" is likely just the other is getting worse..

The MAN Fan Club said...

me, Being light in the darkness would be the goal. If what you are working with is inflexible then it is time to be light elsewhere. Maybe that is why we have kind of broken off from our "regulars" group.

TheMAN