Why oh why did they have to INSULT me?

[Wildaboutheels]

Posts are very common where CDers consider most any comment from a stranger as some type of insult. Not sure how many of you have read the "cookie thief" poem which has been around for awhile. It might help some of you to reconsider your take on interactions with strangers.

Maybe?

http://www.purposefairy.com/770/the-cookie-thief/

[Cheryl T]

Wonderful poem...very true

[AllieSF]

Great example of life in the real world. Thanks for sharing. I hope all of our members here read it too. It makes me think twice, and yes, I have been that cookie thief before, more than once.

[Sarah Beth]

Life is full of those embrassing little moments we wish we could take back and can't. We need to think about that when we interact with others. I've had my share of incidents where I wished I could apologize to someone but would never see them again. It should give us all pause.

I hope everyone goes to read that little poem. Thanks for sharing it.

[Melissa Rose]

I was about to post in another thread about some overreacting to an apparent mild slight that was probably innocent in nature or misguided at worse so this thread is timely. I am going to over generalize to make things easier to write and read so my apologizes.

We are quick to say "talk to the manager" or "write a letter to the corporate headquarters" or "put them in their place" whenever poor treatment is perceived as being related to being transgendered. Due to hypersensitivity, the worse intentions or characteristics are assumed on the part of the offending party, or unflattering stereotypes are assumed about them. However, whether it is in our personal life or work, we want to be understood, forgiven or given a pass when we make a mistake or be able to claim there were special circumstances behind our offense. There have been plenty of posts here complaining about others assuming a cross dresser is gay, a pervert, mentally ill, etc., but we will make just as grievous assumptions about others. Sometimes good and nice people do not know what to say or do when encountering an unknown or uncomfortable situation. Flogging them over their small error or misstep can often be counter productive. How many times has one of us been at a loss of words, said something stupid or boneheaded, uncomfortably laughed or acted weird in analogous situations? I know I have.

There are times when taking stronger action is prudent and warranted, but pick your battles wisely. Unfortunately, I've seen too many cases where someone wants to start a war when a tiny skirmish or simple non-threatening or non-punitive action is a much better course to take. We probably all know someone who is an "injustice collector" - someone who misperceives the smallest slights and turns them into major events. Their response to these injustices, real or perceived, are often quite disproportionate to the original grievance. In an attempt to be supportive, we sometimes pile on or agree when occasionally a "you are be overly sensitive or assuming the worse" is what really needs to be said.

[UNDERDRESSER]

Posts are very common where CDers consider most any comment from a stranger as some type of insult. Not sure how many of you have read the "cookie thief" poem which has been around for awhile. It might help some of you to reconsider your take on interactions with strangers.

Maybe?

http://www.purposefairy.com/770/the-cookie-thief/Is this where she got the idea?

http://www.woltermanns.com/misc/cookies_Adams.htm

[reb.femme]

Never seen the poem before and although I could see what was coming, it is a good lesson nonetheless.

We can all get plenty of exercise from such situations too, flying off the handle, jumping to conclusions etc.

Rebecca

[Leona]

Is this where she got the idea?

http://www.woltermanns.com/misc/cookies_Adams.htm

Well, if it's in this book (http://books.google.com/books/about/Valerie_s_Verse.html?id=UiTpGwAACAAJ), I believe it was published after the Dirk Gently novel it appeared in, which got a bit more circulation than his short story/essay/speech (not sure what it was, but it's in the Salmon of Doubt :) ).

[Leah Lynn]

Thank you, Underdresser. I knew I had read that years ago, but forgot where.

42,

Leah

[kimdl93]

It can be humbling and therapeutic to be reminded of ones own moments of intemperance.

[Princess Grandpa]

A fun poem. Sage advise all around. Thanks

Hug
Rita

[Beverley Sims]

I agree"If only people would READ"

I have been guilty myself on occasions and felt regretful about the whole episode.

I have extracted the poem to print out.