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I have noticed lately that I can be a bit, shall we say, abrupt. With people and with events. It seems that as I age I no longer have the patience to deal with things as might be expected in polite society.
Then again, I've never been much for polite society. I prefer the blunt rollicking manners of the old school military, among equals, of course. Coarse, loud, and with no filter whatsoever.
At my retirement ceremony, some 26 years ago this month, my captain said of me, "If you want Sergeant Goodrich's opinion on something, just ask. But don't be surprised if he gives you both barrels." That was one wise officer. (He was also a damned good one, fellow northern New Englander he was.)
During my civilian career I tried to restrain myself, to no avail. While that worked for a number of years, it got me absolutely nowhere. I wasn't numbered among the "chosen" and never would be, so what did it matter if I was blunt or not?
At one review, my section manager said that one of my reviewers wrote that I "was not a team player." In response I said, "If that means that I don't go along with every stupid idea he has, then no, I am not. He doesn't have a f**king team, he has an entourage."
So yeah, no patience for the niceties when they consist of so much empty air.
While I don't intend to quit blogging, the thought has crossed my mind now and again. So don't be surprised if I get snippy in the comments from time to time. It's happened twice over the last couple of days. It's my natural fatigue at trying to be entertaining. It can be a chore at times.
If I get snippy with you, gentle reader, don't take it personally, perhaps I took your comment the wrong way, misinterpreted what you meant.
Or maybe I just didn't like your comment. It happens.
The really bad ones get deleted, some I let stand. Depends on my mood really.
Merriam-Webster defines curmudgeon as "a crusty¹, ill-tempered, and usually old man." Now "crusty," in the military, can refer to an individual, particularly a long serving individual, who is gruff, surly, and sometimes rude.
So am I a curmudgeon? It would seem so. But rather than plead guilty to that charge, I will simply say, "no contest."
If I hath offended thee ...
Oh well.
And, great picture, innit?
¹ Which Merriam-Webster defines as "giving an effect of surly incivility in address or disposition." I prefer the military variation, though the Merriam-Webster definition does fit.
my dad was able to be a team player in the USAF and at TRW and many projects in the USA space program, but when he could he got out and preferred being self employed
ReplyDeleteI could never be self-employed, I hate working for assholes.
DeleteWell Sarge, there are Curmudgeons and curmudgeons.........recently read the obituary of a woman where it was said "she did not not suffer fools gladly". The older I've gotten the less I find myself wanting to be around strangers, especially crowds. Now if you'll excuse me, there are some clouds arriving that need yelling at.........:)
ReplyDeleteI feel you, my brother.
Delete"I prefer the blunt rollicking manners of the old school military, among equals, of course. Coarse, loud, and with no filter whatsoever."
ReplyDeleteGouged eyes and torn ears to be returned to the rightful owners at the end of the evening. I see nothing wrong with bluntly stating opinions. Having to dance and tiptoe around everything to try to keep from oFFENDing someone and hurting their precious FEELings is tedious. Especially since those rules seem to be of the "For thee but not for me" type. They are designed to stifle thought, debate, and free expression of ideas.
In one of the books in Harry Turtledove's "Worldwar" series some of the Chinese Communists are in an eatery having a "spirited discussion, which onlookers would call raucous wrangling" something like that.
If someone is offended, offend them harder!
DeleteIn my interview with the Ops Colonel he asked "what best qualifies you for this position?"
ReplyDeleteI stated "I am know the job and I am extremely mission focused"
He then asked "What would others say are your most challenging qualities?"
I said "Same answer as the first question, if it comes down to getting the mission accomplished or sparing someone's feelings, then I guess they are gonna suffer, I am happy with that". That Colonel hired me. And on more than one occasion said to my face that he wished otherwise. There was a good reason I got "Grumpy" as my Team name, just glad I made E-7, otherwise my handle would have been "Buck for Life Grumpy"
MSG Grumpy
Grumpy is a fine moniker, wear it proudly!
DeleteMy wife, the wonderful Mrs. Andrew, has a saying. "Do you want the truth or a convincing lie?" She won't hold back. It's cost her job opportunities and acquaintances, but that's just the way she rolls.
ReplyDeleteTruth is always preferred.
DeleteI'd like that picture better if I was behind it... ye gads that rpm is outrageous...
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't chatter, it buzzes!
DeleteThat is a rather...unique...photographic view.
ReplyDeleteIt is more than a bit noteworthy that at least out in the modern industrial world, an honest opinion is not always a welcome thing. Oh, almost every company I have worked for says they value such things, but when push comes to shove it seems to come third or fourth on the list - and often even then, it is a version of honesty lacks the forcefulness of "an honest opinion" and is more a bland note with some notes of truth sprinkled in.
In terms of blog comments...I have noticed (on the blogs of others, anyway) a trend or tendency for commenters to feel free to just "let rip" in a way that is neither conversational or invites discussion. While all blog owners can create the environment of what and how the conversation goes, it strikes me that sometimes there is a sense that it is their "right" to comment, no matter how offensive or even attacking in nature. What is missing from that is the fact that their ability to make the comment rests largely on the blog owner to create and manage the site. Being disrespectful of the tone of the conversation - especially if one has been warned - is rather an insult to the people that take the time and energy to write and manage comments. It makes one want to simply find some less intense sort of hobby, or completely disable comments.
There have been a few times where the crowd got out of control and I turned off commenting for that post. Hasn't happened in a while, mostly because I try to avoid being too political. At least directly.
Delete"Why are you always so cheerful?" I was asked. "When it's not important, then people give me chocolate, good Scotch, and kisses." "If it is important?" "I give them truth with a smile, and they usually fire me."
ReplyDeleteSome, like in the movie, can't handle the truth.
DeleteWhen I look in the mirror, that is the man I need to answer (and the one above). The rest of the world? I try to be civil.
ReplyDeleteIt's getting so I don't even try to be civil.
DeleteSarge,
ReplyDeleteYou might consider answering with “Noted” and nothing else. Conveys your message without adding fuel to the fire. BTW, when I read the comment I had a similar reaction as you. So, it wasn’t you, it was him.
juvat
Not a bad idea.
DeleteGreat photo, indeed, for artistic merit. Not so much if seen in real life and not a posed photo op.
ReplyDeleteCurmudgeon behavior is sometimes a choice, but probably more often just personality traits.
One of the most paradigm changing events of my life was taking a course where everyone took the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator test which is "designed to indicate different psychological preferences in how people perceive the world and make decisions. It's based on the theory of psychological types developed by Carl Jung, and it identifies 16 distinct personality types based on four dichotomies: Extraversion vs. Introversion, Sensing vs. Intuition, Thinking vs. Feeling, and Judging vs. Perceiving."
People fall at various points along those scales, and habitually act accordingly. Turns out I am "ISTJ", while other people can be all sorts of things, with ENFP being sort of the polar opposite.
I did not know that! That really helped me better understand what makes people tick, and that stuff that might be abhorrent to me was great fun for some [weirdos, perhaps?]. I must confess that the differences are not necessarily right vs wrong, but merely "different" personality traits. Indeed, the ENFP folks may take joy as great actors, salesmen, or teachers, while ISTJ folks like me may be happier in STEM fields. Teams probably are better with a mix of personality types, if they are willing to listen to the viewpoints of others (Not applicable in military "take that hill NOW, CHARGE!" situations, of course.)
So, IMHO, Curmudgeons are not necessarily bad. Perhaps annoying, but mainly just different.
John Blackshoe
Sometimes I allow my annoyance with some people to show. Gets me in trouble but c'est la vie.
DeleteI need to read the comments closer! I'm missing some entertainment value I guess.
ReplyDeleteIt's rare, but sometimes you don't get to see it because the comment gets deleted if I really don't like it.
DeleteWelcome to Club Curmudge, We've been waiting. Heard ya coming, though!
ReplyDeleteMy kids say that they can hear me bitchin' from miles away.
DeleteGuess that means I'm doing it right.
Sometimes being a curmudgeon is necessary. I've noticed A LOT of negativity in replies on Twitter/X and Facebook recently.
DeleteCurmudgeonry rules!
DeleteThat comment above is me.
ReplyDeleteMary F.
Stupid Blogger is not letting me allow cookies so I can't log in as me.
Probably part of their idiotic AI push. Stuff doesn't work right and it certainly isn't ready for prime time!
DeleteA friend and former coworker described me to her husband as, " A good guy with a bad attitude." Her husband was horrified.
ReplyDelete"What if he heard you say that?"
" I told him that to his face. He was quiet for a second then said it was probably true. It never impacted our friendship or work."
As John Boyd was alleged to say, "Be someone or do something." I alway chose do something and had issues with Be Someone crowd.
I'm with you, I prefer to do something, never saw much point to "being someone."
Delete