Is it me or are some people just inconsiderate?

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Joe90
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16 Nov 2014, 2:58 am

A few years ago I went for a Christmas meal with the people I volunteered with at a charity shop (they were also volunteers). Before we went, one of the other volunteers (let's just call her Jane) specifically arranged with me to get the bus home with me, being so we both lived on the same bus route. Now that meant that neither of us had to wait alone in the dark at the bus stop, because I was a little anxious about that. But after the christmas meal one of the others (let's call her Sara) offered Jane a ride home in her car. Jane didn't hesitate, and said yes right away. Then Sara looked at me and said in a matter of fact way ''oh, I would give you a ride too but I got so much stuff in the back seat.'' That might have been genuine but something told me it wasn't. I have been in her car once before and it is a big car with enough room. Also she has to come through my town to get to where she lives, so its not like she has to go out of her way to drop me off. I felt rather rejected but didn't like to say anything because I didn't want them to think I was expecting a ride, but its just the principle of the matter. What made it worse was that I had to make my way to the bus stop by myself, and it was dark, icy and a lot of gangs roaming about, and I just felt vulnerable, plus I was only young. And nobody cared. Nobody asked if I will be all right, or offered to perhaps walk with me to the bus stop if they were going that way, or anything like that. The good news is I got home safely.

I know it was ages ago but its incidents like these that make me lose faith in people. I was a very good volunteer as well. But I left 6 months after that so now I don't associate myself with them any more. But I do often feel hurt about that though. I remember sobbing in my pillow when I got home. I don't expect people to make a fuss of me or limit their decisions because of me, but I thought people would have more cobsiderarion. If that was me being offered a ride home when I had already arranged with someone to get the bus, I would say ''that's very kind of you but I promised Jane I would get the bus home with her''. Ok if it had been day time, I wouldn't have minded so much. But because it was late at night, I just felt vulnerable and I was hurt that nobody even cared.


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progaspie
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16 Nov 2014, 4:31 am

Never lose your faith in humanity because at times it brings up surprises.
I was doing volunteer work at the local primary school. I hated it. The children were generally misbehaving and were utter pains. The teachers kept disciplining the children for various indiscretions, while I just stood there and kept supervising the activities. I didn't want to be there.
A child who obviously couldn't help himself kept getting into trouble, so I engaged him in conversation. He had few verbal skills and seemed autistic to me, but he kept saying he got brain damaged when he was at kindergarten to account for his behaviour. I felt sorry for him.
At the end of activities I went to leave when one of the female students came over to me and wanted to shake my hand and thank me. It was completely unexpected and it came as a total surprise.



KimD
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16 Nov 2014, 1:43 pm

Yes, I'd say that "Sara" and "Jane" were inconsiderate, and IMO, very unkind and immature. You were right to remove them from your life; you deserve better! There are plenty of kind, loving people in this world, but they/we tend to travel under the radar and don't often end up on the front page of the news. The cruel, nasty things that people do make for more exciting tales, but I think everyone has to remind themselves that that's just a small part of the picture.

If you can, please take comfort in knowing that a lot of people, including me and pretty much any of my friends and family--would never leave a young woman alone at night like that! When the memory of it pokes its way back into your consciousness, try to remember that "that was then, this is now." Know that they are the ones who messed up, and that isn't a reflection on you.

Personally, I think humans are inherently good/well-intentioned, but a lot of the junk life throws at them/us gets in the way.