Common Courtesy

I was raised that it is just plain polite to say "Good Morning" or the appropriate greeting to people as you pass them. I'm also a reasonably friendly outgoing person, which leads me to this rant:

I'm going to freak out and beat some of the people in my building if they don't start responding. I greet everyone I see in some way. I nod my head if I don't know you at all, kind of a non-confrontational "Hello...I don't know you, but hello anyhow." If I know them, I'll say anything from "What's up?" to "Good morning" to actually greeting them by name. I will sometimes greet people I don't know but see alot, for example people who work in my building, similarly to those I know. "Good morning", etc. is a nice safe greeting.

Unfortunately for me, I work in a building with some very smart, very introverted people. The worst is this one fellow, who upon entering the elevator will stand in the corner. I want to ask him what he did wrong, but I'm sure he wouldn't respond.

Which is the part that drives me right up the wall...if someone greets you or asks a question...respond. I don't care if you grunt, cuss me out, punch me in the face...do something. I'd be happier if you just responded in a verbal fashion, as this avoids undo pain on all parties involved, but at least respond.

Until later...

Language

Ok...so having grown up as a military brat, my language isn't the best. Particularly when it comes to swearing. I've been the "inspiration" behind some of the baby's most "colorful" statements, which causes Mama no end of fits.

However, I've recently starting running into something that causes physical pain when I see, read or hear it. My lovely wife had the word "totes" on her blog to which I asked "Totes? Really?". She said, "It means totally". She also used the phrase "whatevs"...which I'm fairly certain isn't even a word.

Here is the link from Mirriam-Webster to the word tote, which using the noun form, I could see totes as plural. Note that nowhere does the word totes indicate any possibility of meaning totally.

Now, I understand that the Urban Dictionary indicates several definitions for totes and whatevs, but it would appear from the voting on both, that the majority of people tend to think that these usages are for noofus online chatters of the teen variety. Needless to say, my wife doesn't fall into that category. It is very odd to hear a college educated, certified teacher who specialized in language for elementary education using such language...particularly considering how often she corrects my grammatical faux pas.

Just saying...

Things No Father Should Ever Hear

There are some things that no father should ever hear..."Dad, I'm just stripping to pay for college." is one of the worst I can think of.

Although not as high up on the chain, but still disturbing considering the source is "I need makeup to be a hot model." Now, this statement isn't disturbing on it's face, as it is actually true, that models do require makeup, as no human yet has been born with perfect skin and features. What made this statement disturbing is that it came from my 3 yr old daughter.

She wandered into our room with several cases of eye shadow and blush and asked me to open them. I told her "No, I'm not opening them as you don't need makeup." The above statement was her response.

Now, I blame my wife and 7 yr old daughter (who dances and therefore wears makeup on stage) as they both have watched America's Next Top Model, and I'm sure the baby has watched it too.

That's all for now...