TAKERS

The following is a disenchanting footnote or rather [a sour-tasting residue] left over from ungrateful participants.

Today’s subject is aptly termed- TAKERS.

CLARIFICATION:
They are the Self-Absorbed, Unappreciative USERS that forever seek and EXPECT the Hand-Out from us. We all know the kind- The ones that embody the ‘Gotta get me and mine’ mentality, who constantly CARRY in their hands the proverbial Tip Cup. Their no-work-ethic attitude leaves them clueless to their benefactor’s graciousness. They are the Entitled Consumers among us, and they are constantly GROWING by the numbers!

COMMENTARY:
Have you noticed that people are more ungrateful today than ever before? The ‘Sign of the Times’ perhaps. Maybe the government is to blame- by implementing altruistic but enabling programs.  Certainly, Commercialism has played a big part in this decline in manners. Is not, INSTANT gratification the advertisers best pitch for selling their products? But, what about the parents? Where have they gone? And why have they gone SO SOFT? Appreciation is a learned & taught behavior: Parents need to instill this long-forgotten character-building virtue.

Just look around…The self-solicitation platform, Go Fund Me has become the flavor of the day. That phrase itself (Go FUND me) – comes across as such an insulting expletive phrase. Why not- PLEASE Fund me? GO FUND me comes across like a cursing-you-out demand…it bleeds entitlement.

ANALYSIS:
https://www.oprah.com/relationships/how-to-deal-with-selfish-people
I came across this interesting article called, How to Deal with Selfish Friends, Family and Partners. Lisa Marie Bobby PhD, a Colorado-based marriage counselor, therapist, and life coach makes the following 2 insights:

1."People who are 'selfish' tend to have been raised in environments in which their feelings, thoughts, and needs weren't recognized or valued."

2.Calling out selfish behavior may backfire: "When people react badly to the people with low emotional intelligence, the latter will often feel genuinely SURPRISED, OFFENDED, and even VICTIMIZED.” Bobby explains, "Generally speaking, more often than not, attempts to directly CONFRONT self-centered behavior and ask for improvement results in DEFENSIVENESS, MINIMIZATION and often, unproductive CONFLICT." (See Blog “The Vortex!”)

P.S. On a deep spiritual level, the very act of ingratitude is tantamount to stealing (thus the pic). To NOT recognize their apathetic response is analogous to a SLIGHT towards their Giver and an insulting STING towards the efforts their Bestowers took to enhance their lot. It is also, morally revealing. It is how small people grow even smaller. It certainly does not reinforce that Givers future willingness to contribute more, and it  makes even Good Givers reluctant.

B.P.S. So, how do we deal with folks devoid of appreciation? I subscribe to the old Al-Anon adage: “Set your limits and know your boundaries. Know HOW FAR TO GO and know WHEN TO STOP.” Hear-Hear…From the Lookout Post.