Narcotics Anonymous has 12 steps that pretty much everyone has heard about. Lesser known outside of N.A. (or any other 12 step fellowship) are the 12 traditions. The traditions are a set of guidelines for the members and groups to help them in their dealings with each other, other groups, and the world outside the groups.
I've got the 11th tradition on my mind today. "Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films." What this means for me is this: if I am somehow thrust into the celebrity stratosphere, I probably shouldn't go running around proclaiming that I am a member of Narcotics Anonymous.
Why? Well, what if I wind up like Darryl Strawberry, Scott Weiland, or Lindsey Lohan--constantly making the news for yet another relapse, DWI, shoplifting, hit&run, escape from treatment, or any of that other shit these famous chronic waste-cases make headlines for? What does that say to the world about the fellowship? Nothing good.
This also applies to me on a much less public level. I probably shouldn't wear an N.A. shirt out in public if I am likely to act a donkey: whistling at women, getting arrested, trashing a restaurant or a Toys-R-Us, and any of the other silly shit humans do that isn't so attractive. Whether I like it or not, every single thing I do while sporting my N.A. teeshirt, tattoo, cap, or whatever reflects on the fellowship as a whole.
I wish other people would apply this wisdom in their daily lives. When you come into my place of business and act a donkey: snapping orders at me, telling me I didn't bring enough plates of food when you damn well know that you didn't order plates of food for those people that came in 20 minutes after you ordered, behave rudely and condescendingly, don't tip the wait staff, and leave a serious fucking mess on the tables and floor--what do you think it says about A) the church named on all your tee shirts and B) your religion in general? Nothing good. Your relentless promotion of your piousness and faith without works to back it up makes it all look like horseshit.
This also applies to corporate events: when your company throws an event, has a contract for specific services and set times, and you then start bitching because you aren't getting what you want, do you think this makes anybody want to do business with your company?
#imjustsaying
#foodforthought
#gratefuliaintyou
I couldn't agree more. More people really need to be conscious of how they act, especially in public. Don't be a d-bag. :)
ReplyDeleteHaha, d-bag is a good word for it. Bunch of assholes need a good cleansing! (Oh, wait, that would be an enema, which is totally different. Oops.)
DeleteI'm always amazed at how badly people are willing to treat waitstaff. I was just in some chain restaurant Champps? Fridays? listening to the woman at the table next to me tell her waiter what was wrong with each of her half-eaten items. 1. Don't act like a bitch in front of your kids. (what are you teaching them?) and 2. Don't think I and/or the waiter and manager don't know you're just trying to get a free meal.
ReplyDeleteBahahahaha, I hope they told her to fuck the fuck off!
DeleteAmen, sister! If everyone just treated each other the way they wanted to be treated, life would be good. xo
ReplyDeleteI think their Christ even told them to do just that, which makes it even sadder.
DeleteI'm sorry you were treated that way, love. Some people have twisted the "be yourself, you are unique, celebrate the American spirit of individuality" mantra into "I can do whatever the f*ck I want to whomever I want because I'm me!!" excuse for their piss-poor behavior. Yet, if one treats them the way they treat others, there's hell to pay. Usually in the form of a lawsuit. Makes me sick. There was an episode of the "The IT Crowd" in which Roy told Jen that when waitstaff are treated rudely, they carry the rude customer's food around in the their trousers - "trouser food" he called it. I think of that every time I see some asshat in a restaurant berating the waitstaff, and I secretly hope the waitstaff has seen the episode, too. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't stick their food in my pants, but they certainly paid more than the locals. Also? I love my boss-she added the gratuity to their 'I'm on a separate ticket by myself' tabs and MADE their funky asses tip us.
DeleteI couldn't agree more. Also, I'll fill you all in on my personal experiences with asshats when I call ya. Text me and let me know your schedule the next few days, k?
ReplyDelete