As far as proximity to some of the situations you describe, Shelly, I do have first-hand experience with some of what you say you are concerned about. You are correct, that it wasn't in Florida, though some life situations are pretty universal even though we like to think they're unique. So, though I live in Michigan, I may not be as far from the situation as you think. And if you've read about Southeastern Michigan, I'm very close to high cost of living, low wage jobs and lots of lay-offs due to the problems with the auto industry. Many people are hurting in Southeastern Michigan. And we have lots of homes that aren't selling and that are going down in price. But, given I don't know the SoWal area as well, I certainly defer the environmental and some of the real estate discussions to people who know much more than I do.
Many of your points are well-taken, Shelly. But some of what you think is humor is insulting rather than funny. Gallows humor isn't always appropriate and I always thought gallows humor was supposed to be directed at oneself, not others, especially because it can be so caustic.
Here's why I'm passionate about wishing you would phrase your comments about people's work and livelihoods with more respect (being respectful doesn't at all hinder one's ability to debate - I think it enhances it). I come from a family that worked the grill/deep fryer for at least two generations. We didn't have to wear the paper hats you glibly mentioned though; we wore hairnets -- board of health rule. You can make a great chocolate cheesecake but I'll bet it can't come close to the great ham and pickle sandwich I can make! (Never mind, your chocolate cheesecake is probably much better, I said that my ham and pickle sandwich would be better for dramatic effect.)
And here's the thing that may be hard for you to believe given the way you joke about lower-wage jobs (or use them as a weapon): Many people don't attach their own self-worth or the worth of others to their jobs and they don't need other people to feel sorry for them. :shock: When my father died (and he worked the grill/deep fryer right up until the day he died), the church was full (so full that not everyone could sit down) because of the respect he earned from the townspeople, customers, and others after serving people for 30 years. They appreciated the work he did and they appreciated him as a person. So, you can see why I have utmost respect for all work and the people who do it -- and you can bet my kids do, too.
Here's what seems odd to me, Shelly: It seems that if someone has a lower-wage job, you target their job to insult and act as though they're victims of something (some are, some aren't). If someone has enough wealth to have a place at the beach, then they become an easy target for you to call greedy and unfamiliar with the reality of life at the other end of the wage scale (some are, some aren't).
Personally, here's my take on it: I've been on both ends of the of the wage scale (well, not at the high end, but the very comfortable end). Today, I wish I could have the opportunity to share the beach in SoWal that I'm privileged to be part of with the people in my family
who worked the grill for 2 generations. I wish they were still around so that after years of working the grill they could sit on the beach with a nice cold drink so that I could say, can I carry your beach chair? Get you another drink? Fold down the sheets for your nap? Get you your pills? When I live well at the beach, or elsewhere, it is in their honor. When I look at the ocean and the sunset, I also see them, sometimes standing by a deep fryer and grill (or sometimes standing by the old juke box if the light from the sunset is just right). And I thank them for teaching me to work hard, serve people well, and not be defined by my work. So be careful of what you say, Shelly, your jokes are sometimes insulting to the people I love - remember I'm half Italian and don't take too kindly to that!
Also remember that when you see a person at the beach sipping a drink or heading off for a nap, don't simply assume that person is a rich, greedy person who is killing turtles and sliding down sand dunes. Remember they may have worked very hard for the privilege of being at the beach and they may respect the environment. You may instead want to feel some joy for their success and offer them a nice cold drink.
Words can be tender or hurtful, Shelly. You seem to be determined to hold onto your right to be insulting and hurtful, but I'm not worried. Heck, I worked the grill for years (as did my family) so I can take the heat. :funn:
Hopefully so.
