'Beautiful day isn't it.' I remarked.
'What're you talking to me for!?' He shouted.
This was not the reply I expected from a young man trying to get onto the job ladder. So I put on my best condescending tone and said;
'Excuse me! Who - do - you - think - you're - talking - to!?'
'Move on old man. You don't know me.' he practically spat in my face.
But I stood my ground till he huffed and puffed and skulked off down Stert street; cigarette in hand. When he was gone I went inside the job centre and gave them an exact description of him and said I had seen him working as a cash in hand contract cleaner at the trading estate. That'll show him, no more dole money for you sonny Jim.
Yes the youth are something else now. Who knows what knocks or battles this youth has had to contend with though? Sometimes one is not used to civility or kindness if one does not experience it. You seem to be very vindictive James. Are you fighting some sort of a battle yourself?
ReplyDeletealthough there is no excuse for bad manners or ignorance there is equally no excusing the attempt to get this youth into trouble and possibly have his welfare money stripped from him on the basis of a lie (i assume the window cleaner bit was made up?)
ReplyDeletejames - never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes. who knows what trials and tribulations the young man may be going through. his rude manner is clearly his externalisation of some inner turmoil so rather than judge...indeed condemn this man you should pity him as he apparently lives in such a dark place that the appreciation of a beautiful day escapes him.