There are not too many things that get my dander up any more, because I've learned over the years how to choose my battles. But, there are still a few that just rankle me no matter how hard I attempt to overlook them.
The background - I've been trying to get my inventory up for the upcoming season - not only for the shops that carry my work, but for a hopeful new account, my own little online Etsy shop and some custom work that's woefully behind.
I have a TV in my work space to keep me company - nothing fancy and no cable, just something to give me some background noise. So, when, a couple weeks ago I heard a Christmas commercial, it made me cringe just a little bit. But then last week, when I heard another company pushing the season early, I cringed a little bit more. Yesterday, however - on the last day of OCTOBER - I start hearing and watching several more commercials from yet one more big company, and it just made me angry.
Now, I know that anyone creating work to sell needs to have the necessary supplies available to them as early as possible - that's what we see in the craft supply stores and catalogs. But, really - really?? Christmas commercials in October? Can we NOT just at least wait until November to start pushing goods? Wouldn't it be nice to simply give some honor and dignity to our holidays? Are these big, well-known companies so hard up that they need to increase the commercialization of one of the most beautiful holidays?
It makes me sad - and, I won't patronize those businesses for my holiday shopping.
So now, let's talk about the decline of 'nice'.
Since I don't have cable or satellite reception in my work shop, I depend on all the local channels - the auxiliary channels are filled with some of the most entertaining court programs. Among them is one that has been around for many years with an announcer that's very outspoken.
Outspoken is OK, but what has happened that we tolerate the decline of a few niceties in our day-to-day speech. Since when has it become OK to state that he'd be 'pissed off, too'? Or, that the defendant is 'pissed off'. Have we become so complacent that we no longer understand the meaning of words such as 'angry', or even attempt to use it instead of resorting to the more commonly used street talk?
I'm not a fan of Judge Judy's program. I am, however, a fan of what she tolerates, but more than that - what she DOESN'T. Have you noticed that she doesn't tolerate street talk? And, that she expects a question to be answered with 'Yes' or 'No' instead of 'yeah' or 'uh-uh'. And, that she has absolutely no qualms about dressing down someone who is not properly attired. No holey jeans for her - and, in at least one instance, has asked a woman where the rest of her outfit was. Yes, for her values, I greatly respect and admire Judge Judy. And, I seriously doubt that she would stand for the speech habits of the aforementioned announcer. Her values are high and she expects others to meet them as well. Nothing wrong with that.
And, since we're on the subject of language, can we at least teach people in commercials to pronounce and use words correctly?
Espresso is NOT expresso - jewelry is NOT joolery - we talk or discuss, NOT conversate. And, lastly - wouldn't it be nice if someone were to send a message instead of INBOXING???
Well, that was fun! And, I feel better for airing my views and thoughts, no matter how silly some may thank they are.
This photo might just apply to my current state of mind.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.....
For those who understand you, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, none is possible.
