mking624 said:
I think it's quite bold of you to start turning random acts of kindness and thoughtfulness into something more sinister. No one on here has indicated about a personal sacrifice of giving up a seat, no one said others aren't able to take care of themselves. But neither should those who ARE doing something kind (and yes, something as simple as offering a seat is an act of kindness) should be treated as though they just spit in a person's face. It ticks me off that people insist on twisting such a simple gesture into something far different. No one is "implying" anything by offering a seat to someone. It's not anyone's fault but your own if you choose to twist it into something different.
TigrLvsPooh said:
That has got to be the saddest comment I have read on this board.
Let me be crystal clear here. I have always tried to be courteous. But
I'm not the one doing the "turning" you accuse me of; it was
the very people I was being courteous to! Please re-read my earlier posts - I've been insulted and cussed at because I made a kind gesture. Random acts of kindness? I've been doing them for years, ever since I read about them in Utne Reader. You know that "pay the toll for the car behind you" trick? I do that
every time we drive from the Orlando airport along the tollroad to WDW.
My only point - one that you still haven't picked up on - is that no matter what
your intent is when you make a gesture, there's no guarantee that the recipient will take it way you intend it. Offering a seat to an senior citizen can be taken as either a sign of respect and kindness (how I intend it) or a sign of disrespect, that I think they're unable to speak for themselves (which I've been told, to my face, by such a senior citizen.
If you folks have never been accused of feeling superior, of condescending, of trying to "assert my power" over someone, then I'm happy for you. Wait until you're told that your "act of kindness" really ticked off the recipient - then give me a PM.
I really am a nice guy - honest. There's just something called "The Law of Unintended Consequences" that gums things up....
Be well.