Ugh. That break down of how "respect" means two different things in " I'll respect you if you respect me" has broader application.
Yep. He was arguing that people nowadays are a lot less respectful than they were in the fifties and sixties, and he seemed intent on being his own Exhibit A. He was going off on an unhinged profanity-laden rant on my mom's post. And completely arguing with a straw man -- I was saying that people are less racist now than they used to be, and he responded as if I'd called him racist.
So we got out and I realized that Matthew has a serious level of heart intolerance that I think might be a medical issue or ssymptom of something. He was sweating by just a few minutes outside. So I reworked my plans and then went to myself.
He did walk down the dock and then we walked back so that was nice.
Hil I am sorry that guy is on your mom's fb page and you had to encounter him
I'm sorry, Hil. Strength~ma in your rightness, askye.
I failed math by 5 points (half a grade. We're metric here). Good news is that they're being very nice and letting me re-do it again (because of migraines and chronic pain issues), and the classmates who studied with me are angry on my behalf and wanting me to ask for a better grade (not sure on what grounds... but the solidarity is nice). It sucks and I hoped for a relaxed Rosh HaShana but that's what it is. And I will actually have time to study properly for this one, with enough sleep and less stress. And maybe with a private lesson or two.
For the record, I have zero, zilch, no idea how I passed economics but didn't pass this one.
I hope the next time you take it goes better, Shir.
Hil, it sounds like you and this guy are arguing two different things. Because I think it could be argued that good manners -- as the term would have been defined 50 years ago -- have declined. "Four-letter words" that were unthinkable 50 years ago are now commonplace. People don't dress up for events that they used to dress up for. (Note: I only argue that such things exist, not whether they're good or bad.)
At the same time, you're absolutely right that bigotry and discrimination have decreased significantly in that time. Members of certain groups now get treated with the common courtesy that they wouldn't have received 50 years ago.
For what it's worth, I think there's an intersection between the two arguments because a certain amount of "good manners" arose from the idea that a woman should be treated like a lady. At least some (and I'll defer to others whether it's some, a lot, or all) of that idea is based on the sexist idea that women should be sheltered and protected. Case in point from my experience -- when I was a child, I was taught that, when walking on the street with a lady, a gentleman always walks closest to the curb so if a car drives through a puddle nearby, he (and his clothes) get messed up. I now know women who do not like it when I try to take the curb side.
Oh no, shir, but glad you get to take it again!!
I took an "exotic fruit tour" this morning, which was lots of fun. Met up with the guide and fellow tour folks at the market and he cut up various fruits for us and it was tasty. AND I managed to get myself back to the hotel on public transit! Though I did have to get a cop to go buy me a second ticket—the first ticket lady didn't tell me I needed two, but then I'd have had to exit and buy a THIRD ticket, if the cop hadn't been able to take my money out and buy another. I don't understand their system—very swank metro and bus, but only human ticket people, no machines? And also nobody inside the station/turnstiles, only out, so you have to exit to get assistance.
He was arguing that respect has declined because of "snowflakes," and that's the reason there are school shootings now. He was specifically defining "respect" as "respect for authority."
So frustrating, Hil.
(And thanks for the sympathy, all. I... seriously can't believe I have to take it again, but I'd be damned if I let it stand between the MPA program and me).
Shir, if you ever need any remote math help, just let me know.
Thank you, Hil! I'm trying to get by on my own, but I'll let you know if I need further assistance.
Shana tova!