Personal opinion: things I dislike about social customs and practices

General Discussion
#1

Today at work I was confronted not once, but twice, with situations that I find have
become more and more irritating, and which I really wish there was a good way
around. Both of them were what I consider attempts by others to try to force a closer
relationship with (me in this case) that what is actually present.

In the first, I was chatting with a manager, and he said something about the **** family,
that I should see **** as my family, family I could go to when times got tough.
No… I won’t. I have a family, and **** is not anywhere near like what I have at work.
It’s much better than I have at work. I don’t need or want another family.

The second was similar. Someone called me “brother” in the way that people used
that term when I was young, to signify some sort of social brotherhood between us.
No… I have 3 brothers, and we are much closer than I am with anyone at work.

When people I have just met, and have really not even gotten to know their name,
want to fist bump, shake hands, high five, or anything else… No… I will not do that.
This situation is akin to saying that someone you just met for the first time, and who
you might not ever see again, is somehow someone that you want to be friends with.
Ridiculous.

The fact that I met you once does not make us friends. I do not ever say that I have
friends at work. I don’t. Even if, outside of work, we might meet a time or to socially,
they are not my friends. They are acquaintances, yes. But just because we did
something together does not make us friends, not in my book.

I will say sometimes say “I don’t know you”, and they will pipe up with “Oh, my name
is -----, so now you know me”. No, I don’t…

etc. etc. etc.

#2

Over and above what I wrote above, there are many things that disturb me about social conventions. Please remember that I am speaking for myself.

Sometimes at my job I have to explain that I know nothing about the firearm ammunition they want to buy.
I explain that I have never owned a firearm, and have fired exactly seventy-four live rounds in my life,
while I was in basic training in the Air Force. An almost universal response is “Thank you for your service.”
I’ve got news for you. I did not serve my country. I went into the Air Force to learn, not to serve. I find it disturbing that people believe that those who have an honorable discharge (I do) are in some way patriotic, that I wished to serve my country. No… and I learned along the way that it is indeed true that “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.”

I also find it distasteful to say things like “Happy Holidays”… I don’t celebrate any holidays, religious or otherwise. The assumption that I do, or that I really care that other people are wishing me well, is distasteful. I really don’t care what you or any other stranger thinks about my happiness. You’re a stranger, you have your ways, I have mine. I don’t go to your church, join your clubs, or celebrate any of the things you do. I don’t care if you want to do these things, but please, don’t make the assumption that I am like you.

Sometimes people say “You ought to try it, it’s fun”. This is especially true with people who shoot guns. I have tried many things in my 71 years. I think I can find my own ways to have fun. The fact that you like something has no bearing whatsoever on what I find fun.

Use of the word “f—” to mean something negative really roils me. I like f—ing. To use it in a negative manner just drives me crazy. It’s not the word itself that offends, but the usage to which it is put.

Use of words like “sir” and “ma’am” in a more formal way, but in everyday speech. If I ask why people do it regularly, they say “I was raised to show respect, and these words are used to indicate respect”. Hogwash… these words are used in day-to-day speech just because that is common practice. They have nothing whatsoever (in casual speech) to indicate respect.

I guess I could go on and on about such things, but you probably get my message… don’t assume that your life has anything whatsoever to with your life. You have your life, I have mine. I don’t see the world through your eyes, you can’t possibly see them through mine.
Please do not make assumptions.

This comes into play in politics as well. So many people say “We’re trying to bring democracy to them” to give them a better life, to make life better for them.
Not everyone, and in fact perhaps most people, don’t want democracy… and especially they don’t want it shoved down their throat.

Not everyone is like you…get over it.

#3

Another “dislike” on my list - please don’t call me “honey”.
I hate it when women (and a few men) call me that, I’m NOT their honey.

For years I heard how much women hated it when men they didn’t know,
or who they new only cursorily, called them “honey”.

Well, the same goes for me… I hate it when women I don’t even know
call me “honey”. (this was brought on tonight by a female customer
who said “Thank you honey” after I took care of her.)