Grumpy Old Men

I attract wacky folk. And not in a good way.

I have a specific gene (that my brother also received, but somehow not my sister) that is somewhat like a magnet – I literally draw people to me, specifically, people with issues. My brother and I were fortunate enough to inherit this gene from our mother, and who knows which relative she got it from.

Let me give you an example. Not long ago, whilst walking through a bustling bayside suburb crossing over the railway intersection, I stopped and pulled to the side to allow an elderly man, in an automated wheelchair, to pass by me (as the crossing was not big enough for the both of us).  I was not thanked, not smirked at, not given the universal nod that means ‘cheers’, but I was, rather unexpectedly, verbally abused and given a mouthful that went like this:

“Why are you stopping? What do you think you are doing? Don’t you know how to walk on the road? You need to learn a few things…when you walk up a street, you stick to the left, oncoming traffic walking down sticks to the right, just like the roads. Got it? Thick are ya’? Dumb are ya’?”

It actually took me a few seconds to register what had happened. I had no idea why I was yelled at, when all I did was step c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e-l-y aside to let this man pass by. There was no wrong doing on my part whatsoever. I have done, and continue to do, the same action to many people, young or old, and I always get greeted with a smile.

So, I did what any normal person would do (well, maybe not) and turned on my heel to follow him.

“Oi. Oi you. Stop a second.”

Mr. Grumps stopped in his chair.

I then said:

“Hey, old guy, all I was doing was moving to the side, being courteous, so that you could pass through and you actually have the audacity to abuse me? Well, how about next time I just barge right past you, bowl you right out of that chair and march on through? Hey? How about that?

I am sick of old people like you, grumpy with the world, taking out their misery on other people. And you want to talk about the young people of today? And how rude they are? LOOK AT YOURSELF, ARSEHOLE!”

He actually continued on down the street when I started the “I am sick of old people like you…” line but I didn’t mind or care. I continued yelling at him until he was out of sight. *

The thing is, I could have just let it go. I could have, but I didn’t want to. There is nothing worse than catching someone on a bad day. They are antsy, pre-occupied, irritated and frustrated, but I have to ask, what does that have to do with the rest of us? Why did I need to bear the nasty man’s brunt that day?

But am I being an awful person for assuming it’s all about me? Maybe that old guy was frustrated he was in a wheelchair, maybe he’s had a terrible, lonely, miserable life. Maybe he’s down and out. Should I have been kinder?

It takes a strong person to push aside the daily frustrations in life and treat people with respect – but I believe it’s a strength worth aiming towards. I believe that no matter your situation, you should treat everyone else with some sort of decency, which doesn’t include yelling at them for being kind to you. Whenever you decide to do the right thing, or whenever you decide to show your teeth, strength is required. Sometimes anger needs to be met, head on with more anger, until it can diffuse. Sometimes we need to bite back, because some things, no matter how small, are worth fighting back for.

Bede Jarrett once said, “The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn’t angry enough.”

Right on.

Just don’t be angry with me.

* Disclaimer: I am not a troublemaker and I always go about my day minding my own business, and being very nice with everyone I encounter. I do, however, refuse to be abused, harassed, yelled at or spoken rudely to because someone else is miserable with their own life. As a result, you will always see me retaliate and defend myself. I will forever ‘stick it to the man’ (thanks Jack Black).