A Sense of Entitlement

 

I grew up with women who harbored a sense of entitlement. 

My grandmother felt everyone in the world owed her something because...well I don't know why but I think it's because she was vain and believed that she was better than others.  I'm not sure.  I only just realized that about her.  She passed on about 20 or so years ago and I still miss her...in spite of looking at her through the eyes of a middle aged (if I live to be 102) woman vs. those of a child. 

My grandmother's younger sister was a brat of epic proportions and felt the world owed her a living.  I really didn't like that woman.  Mostly because she called me fat and ugly as a child and a little because she ALWAYS gave me ugly socks for Christmas.

My mother was the queen of entitlement.  I believe it came from her narcissistic disorder and the fact that she was totally unstable but it really doesn't matter - it drove me batshit.  She was the one in the grocery store that would park her cart right in the middle of the aisle and expect you to either wait for her or go around her.  She was the one who would park her car wherever the hell she wanted just because she didn't want to have to walk too far.  She would sit on her ample behind and bellow for us to come out of the bedroom, walk past her into the kitchen to get her a snack (or a soda or whatever) just because she worked all day and shouldn't have to lift a finger at home.  Seriously people...it drove me batshit.

So I have always followed one mantra that I repeat to my children over and over and over and over...

YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING...YOU ARE ENTITLED TO NOTHING

Now I am surrounded by interns and new hires, right out of Ivy League colleges, many of whom were born with the proverbial silver spoon in their mouths and have spent the last three or four summers of their lives backpacking through Europe, or skiing in the Himalayas or sunning themselves on a Greek island.  I am not even making this shit up.

Most of them are perfectly lovely, have impeccable manners and I really like them a lot.  They are bright and ready to work and eager to please.  They are excellent conversationalists and the product of good grooming and great parenting.

But some...

Well...

Let's just say they drive me batshit.

They expect to be catered to and picked up after and babied.  They want what they want when they want it and they can't understand the word NO.  They whine.  They complain.  They show up late and expect the instructor to start over for them.  They decide they are not going to attend mandatory events simply because they may be bored.  Again...I am not even making this shit up.

This may help them later in life.  They may be able to bully and cajole their way through their careers and be really successful.  But if they do not stop plucking with my last freaking nerve they will never make it out of training. 

Seriously.

  

And if you don't believe me then just keep trying my patience because this middle aged mom of six will take you apart and put you back together and I will have parts left over...namely, those that say "entitlement" on them.

Remember kiddies...

YOU DESERVE EVERYTHING...YOU ARE ENTITLED TO NOTHING

Have a nice day...right after you pick up your coffee cups and water bottles and put them in the trash!

I'm telling you...batshit.