Pushy neighbor
We camped in Sterling State Park, MI, last week. Upon arrival, we barely came to a stop in our pull through site and got out when I noticed a young boy pull up on his bike in the grass between our sit...
Forum Discussion
Really intrigued to find this many responses in so little time.
To say I, too, am astounded at some of the responses to my OP is the understatement of the month. Some good points made from some of you, to be sure. I think some of you crystalized my observations perfectly. Others were so far out in left field with ludicrous suppositions, I really don't have the need or desire to address them each specifically. Just wow. I now tender my synopsis.
What was initially a situation that caught my entire family off-guard, did in fact turn out to be nothing in the end, and that is partly what made it so strange. The question of Aspergers struck me. Something "off" about his demeanor which I couldn't quite put my finger on. Definite possibility. Apparently, unlike some of you, I am not clairvoyant. I could only suppose an outcome based on then-current circumstances. The fact that my concerns were not realized only enhanced my weekend. IOW, if you hear a train whistle near train tracks, don't be surprised if you see a train appear. My kids, who are well-behaved, intelligent, socially comfortable, and astute (ages 13 and 16, and somewhat annoying in their own right at times) found this kid's behavior off the wall as well. They just looked at me and rolled their eyes. After he left, they were like, "...what was THAT about ??".
The fact that the post quickly turned into a referendum on me and my social skills may be more telling about the needs of some who responded than about me, or even the situation itself. I didn't recall asking opinions of whether I passed Sociology 101. If you recall, I posted my experience asking if anyone had ever had a similar situation. It's sorta what we do on boards like this in case some of you missed it. I got the bonus psychoanalysis for free! Lucky me! And all without any case history into my personal life and upbringing. We are, after all, mere clones of one another. What's universally true for you is true for all of us, right? Hardly clinical analysis, to say the least. Looked more like pedants on parade, but hey, if you're picking on me, you're letting someone else alone, so happy to take one for the team I guess. Particularly striking to me, was how many of you castigated me for my harsh, cruel judgment and lack of understanding, when, in fact, YOU actually applied the same standard of judgment to me that you accused me of applying to this kid. And, not even based on actual, first-hand knowledge of me and my past and social abilities, etc., but solely upon a story I related. It drips of hypocrisy and apparently you don't see that in, and of, your own standards which you applied. I made judgments on the spot in real time based upon my life's experiences and I was excoriated, even though I was there and you were not. You made judgments about my handling of the situation based on the perceived norms which you regard as perfectly fine for you (and apparently every other person and circumstance on the planet) but you were NOT there, and that's just fine??? Huh! Interesting...
Only mentioned once that I recall, was the very real danger of injury to a person whom I know nothing about. If I were to let him "help" in some way, in today's litigious society, who would be responsible if this young lad were to get hurt through no fault of his own, or even mine, for that matter? Even though most of us have become blithely proficient at set up and tear down of our rigs, the truth is, there is plenty of room for error and injury. The last thing on my mind after driving 7 hours to a campground I didn't particularly want to go to, in a place I never wanted to visit, on a day I'd rather be doing something else, somewhere else, was to baby-sit a complete stranger who may or may not cause damage or injury to himself or others if I don't watch his every move (and all before I had my first proper meal of the day, or had a chance to know the kid for more than literally 1 minute). Gee, can't imagine why I would be hesitant to engage the little urchin and help to bring him up right. That is, after all, what we hapless humanitarians were put here on the planet for: child care for the masses. Takes a village, and all that rot? What must I have been thinking?
Thanks for all the help (some of you). I surely DID learn something by posting this. Consider this my last word and feel free to analyze this response as well. I'm sure my conscience can withstand more free advice and I'm equally sure some of you have plenty more to hand out. I can only hope you're as well-versed on WD hitches, gear ratios, and which are the best camping chairs. Regards.
PS: No, I will not be putting your awning in while you're gone and were too thoughtless to look out for yourself if a storm comes up. You can count on me to NOT touch any of your stuff. You're welcome.
To say I, too, am astounded at some of the responses to my OP is the understatement of the month. Some good points made from some of you, to be sure. I think some of you crystalized my observations perfectly. Others were so far out in left field with ludicrous suppositions, I really don't have the need or desire to address them each specifically. Just wow. I now tender my synopsis.
What was initially a situation that caught my entire family off-guard, did in fact turn out to be nothing in the end, and that is partly what made it so strange. The question of Aspergers struck me. Something "off" about his demeanor which I couldn't quite put my finger on. Definite possibility. Apparently, unlike some of you, I am not clairvoyant. I could only suppose an outcome based on then-current circumstances. The fact that my concerns were not realized only enhanced my weekend. IOW, if you hear a train whistle near train tracks, don't be surprised if you see a train appear. My kids, who are well-behaved, intelligent, socially comfortable, and astute (ages 13 and 16, and somewhat annoying in their own right at times) found this kid's behavior off the wall as well. They just looked at me and rolled their eyes. After he left, they were like, "...what was THAT about ??".
The fact that the post quickly turned into a referendum on me and my social skills may be more telling about the needs of some who responded than about me, or even the situation itself. I didn't recall asking opinions of whether I passed Sociology 101. If you recall, I posted my experience asking if anyone had ever had a similar situation. It's sorta what we do on boards like this in case some of you missed it. I got the bonus psychoanalysis for free! Lucky me! And all without any case history into my personal life and upbringing. We are, after all, mere clones of one another. What's universally true for you is true for all of us, right? Hardly clinical analysis, to say the least. Looked more like pedants on parade, but hey, if you're picking on me, you're letting someone else alone, so happy to take one for the team I guess. Particularly striking to me, was how many of you castigated me for my harsh, cruel judgment and lack of understanding, when, in fact, YOU actually applied the same standard of judgment to me that you accused me of applying to this kid. And, not even based on actual, first-hand knowledge of me and my past and social abilities, etc., but solely upon a story I related. It drips of hypocrisy and apparently you don't see that in, and of, your own standards which you applied. I made judgments on the spot in real time based upon my life's experiences and I was excoriated, even though I was there and you were not. You made judgments about my handling of the situation based on the perceived norms which you regard as perfectly fine for you (and apparently every other person and circumstance on the planet) but you were NOT there, and that's just fine??? Huh! Interesting...
Only mentioned once that I recall, was the very real danger of injury to a person whom I know nothing about. If I were to let him "help" in some way, in today's litigious society, who would be responsible if this young lad were to get hurt through no fault of his own, or even mine, for that matter? Even though most of us have become blithely proficient at set up and tear down of our rigs, the truth is, there is plenty of room for error and injury. The last thing on my mind after driving 7 hours to a campground I didn't particularly want to go to, in a place I never wanted to visit, on a day I'd rather be doing something else, somewhere else, was to baby-sit a complete stranger who may or may not cause damage or injury to himself or others if I don't watch his every move (and all before I had my first proper meal of the day, or had a chance to know the kid for more than literally 1 minute). Gee, can't imagine why I would be hesitant to engage the little urchin and help to bring him up right. That is, after all, what we hapless humanitarians were put here on the planet for: child care for the masses. Takes a village, and all that rot? What must I have been thinking?
Thanks for all the help (some of you). I surely DID learn something by posting this. Consider this my last word and feel free to analyze this response as well. I'm sure my conscience can withstand more free advice and I'm equally sure some of you have plenty more to hand out. I can only hope you're as well-versed on WD hitches, gear ratios, and which are the best camping chairs. Regards.
PS: No, I will not be putting your awning in while you're gone and were too thoughtless to look out for yourself if a storm comes up. You can count on me to NOT touch any of your stuff. You're welcome.
