Antisocial behavior

 

I'm not a senior, but I'm old enough to know that people's behavior has changed and devolved. This started with what people are accessing on social media and young people are particularly susceptible.

It must change back.

Someone reminded me of a recent encounter. A friend decided to combine our meeting with a business lunch. We chose a hipster style café/restaurant with a great relaxed atmosphere that serves breakfast and lunch to mainly young business professionals.

It is so popular that on sunny days people line up to wait for a coveted patio seat. We ordered and while waiting for our meals, my friend lit a cigarette. To my right a young couple in their twenties. The woman overly made up with long extensions and fake eyelashes. Suddenly she expressed "Can you move? The smoke is bothering me". My friend simply responded. "We're outside this is the smoking area." She started to wave her arms dramatically, became belligerent, insisting that the smoke was bothering her.

She waved over the waiter, who looked like a surfer dude and complained about the smoke. To my surprise the waiter told her: "This is the smoking area, I'll be happy to seat you inside." She declined. As our coffee and water were served, my friend lit another cigarette, she became dramatic, added a little fake cough, complained loudly. The other guests started to stare, some were smoking themselves but no one said anything. Annoyed, I tried "It's a gorgeous sunny day, can't you just enjoy it?"

I had inadvertently given her the reaction she sought; attention. She opened her purse, and pulled out...

a vaper. (You've got to be kidding me???!) She took a drag and blew it in my direction.

She had no "issues", she simply wanted drama and attention. In her little corner of the internet, she had clicked and learned her way into being rewarded for this attention seeking behavior of self-importance. And she wanted her way.

I rarely do this, but after she deliberately blew more vape in my direction, then turned and blew it at my friend, I aimed low. I did not want a scene (I cannot believe this even happened), but I also did not want this important meeting to be constantly disrupted. In the most condescending tone I could manage, I raised my voice so the other patrons could hear me.

"Sweety, this is the adult smoking section, if you cannot behave in public, I can ask the waiter to bring you a child's seat so you can continue to inhale your candy flavored lollyvape. Would you like that, honey?"

Flinch

There was laughter, another patron whooped, her boyfriend smiled, but I was wondering why no one else had said anything. The internet should not be raising our children or teach bad behavior to young adults. I believe it's the cause of inciteful behavior that is getting worse. It's the role of adults and seniors to intervene and reteach.

For the rest of our meal she was quiet, sipping her mochachocayayalatte in pouty silence.