June 21, 2022
diplomacy
noun
the art of dealing with people
in an honorable, trustworthy,
courteous, and effective way.
In an immature hurry to mow
as many lawns as possible,
neglecting the important practice
of inspecting the field
before mowing,
can cause unnecessary
safety hazards
to the players and children
who enjoy running and playing
on that open grassy field.
While sure, a big deck
zero-turn-radius mower
can mow aluminum cans
and continue cutting the grass,
those now shredded
sharp metal pieces
are now more difficult to see
strewn all over the field.
Simply stopping and picking up
the cans or other debris on the field
before mowing
is much easier and safer
for everyone concerned.
The obvious solution
is for individuals
not to litter in the first place,
but to multiply that discourteous act
by then mowing over it
and making that entire area
a safety hazard to players and children,
does cause one to
intelligently conclude
such individual
shouldn’t be allowed access
to a mower,
let alone be employed to mow
an athletic field or park.
Truly.
Who doesn’t know that?
Who mows over things like that
and doesn’t think forward
the safety hazard
he alone is creating?
It’s why it’s important
before every game
and outdoor playtime,
to walk around the area
and make sure
the field is safe
for players and children.
It’s not a matter of “legislating”,
it’s a matter of personal
common sense and responsibility.
If you finish a drink
conveniently contained
in a can, bottle, or cup
and there’s no trash can available,
carry the can, bottle, or cup
back to the car, or
with you on your walk,
and put it in the trash
when you get home.
You had no problem carrying it
while you were enjoying its refreshment.
What’s so hard about
carrying it with you
until you can put it in a trash can
that’s for that very purpose?
Stadiums too.
Do you know how much easier
and less expensive it would be
if each person at that game
simply carried their empty drink cups
and food containers
with them as they were leaving the stadium
and intelligently put them in the trash bins
stationed by every exit
on their way out?
Why not make that
a game for the fans
in and of itself?
The goal is a perfectly clean stadium
no spills, no trash, no clutter left behind
making it necessary
for other good faith citizens
to have to clean up
that illogical, uncivilized,
neanderthal mess.
Parents in the stands
could have fun
playing that game with their kids too,
to see if their family
could leave the stadium
clean and ready for the next game
and the next group of fans
who would sit in those seats.
We do that at restaurants too.
Fast food and nice restaurants,
making it super easy
for the waitstaff to do what they do best,
and it not be overly difficult
to clear away plates or silverware
or refill drinking glasses.
I’ve never understood that.
What?
You’re sitting at a table up against a wall,
or impassably close
to other tables and guests,
making it difficult
for the fellow citizen bringing your food
to reach you,
and yet,
there are some people,
who don’t have the common sense,
to naturally help out.
It’s odd.
I mean, people don’t do that at home,
why do they act like that at restaurants,
expecting the servers to
reach across people at the table
to remove a plate or refill a drink?
It’s only exponentiating the possibility
of spills or dropped plates or silverware.
At home,
everyone at the table helps out.
It’s understood.
You’re at the table together,
you’re all in the meal together.
Help each other out,
so no one, including the waitstaff,
has to reach unnaturally or awkwardly
to serve, replenish, or remove items
during that shared meal experience.
:-)
Much Love,
Mama Murphy
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