I'm often really surprised how mean return missionaries can be to people who try to persuade them of something. You'd think after 2 years of dealing with unkind people, they would learn from experience how to kindly, but firmly, let someone know you are not interested.
I'm helping out a friend of mine with her run for BYUSA president, and it was my job tonight to cover my ward and make sure they all vote for her. A lot of people were really nice and great; several were not. The most surprising thing to me were the people who are my friends and who were really mean.
I had many people tell me that they didn't really support anything that BYUSA does, and therefore didn't plan on voting, and that's OK. It is not OK to be unkind though. I think that these people don't realize that being mean to people who are pushing for causes that are important to them makes a world a worse place.
In any case, here is my rant at the world.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I hate mean people. I just want to punch 'em in the...wait, nevermind. I want to let you know that I JUST VOTED! Although it did take Andrew Jensen himself calling me and telling me to vote, but that's not the point.
I think the main animosity to towards BYUSA itself. Take how much people dislike public figures anyway (jealousy), add the unpleasant feelings students have towards administrative bodies generally (and BYUSA is seen as stooges of the administration), then sprinkle general cynicism about the wild promises and broken dreams of other candidates (I, personally, have seen several campaigns promise BYU a radio station).
I think they're just jaded, hurting people. You need to feel their pain.
Try giving hugs.
Hopefully you aren't counting me as one of your mean friends because of our gmail chat when I said, quote (I know it's redundant to say quote and then use quotation makes, put saying it just sounds cool), "I'm not a huge fan of BYUSA..." as an excuse for not wanting to vote again. I mostly was laughing at the fact that they had primary and general elections.
I don't have a problem with people who run for the office because it's a good service opportunity and looks good on a resume. I just don't go out of my way to get involved in an election that decides who gets to be the leader of campus service projects and clubs and otherwise has no influence on my college experience.
However, when friends are involved I have no problem supporting their efforts. That's why I said, quote, "I would just vote for _______ because she's your friend."
Hopefully that makes me a nice friend and not a mean friend.
Don't worry Jerry. You are a nice friend.
Hey, I voted too! Finally, I can legitimately feel like a nice guy.
Post a Comment