The Anonymity of the Internet

A lot of people love the idea of anonymity.

I'll be the first to admit that I like being anonymous on the Internet. I personally don't want people knowing everything I'm doing. No privacy whatsoever. However, what I don't like is when people take that anonymity and abuse it.

It happens everywhere. Forums, social networking sites, blogs, comment sections--any place that allows you to create a user name completely unrelated to your name is a prime situation for flaming.

I started noticing it more on online articles in the past weeks. I typically check on the results of 'Dancing With The Stars' on Wednesday, having typically watched 'American Idol' the night before instead of the DWTS results. The amount of hateful speech that flies around in those comments is shocking. With Kate Gosselin on the show, every other post is demeaning and cruel. I can understand if someone doesn't like her (I'm not a big fan myself), but the amount of... just straight out meanness on those articles is ridiculous. Are we all such petty individuals that we feel the need to spew that negativity onto the Internet about a REALITY SHOW, which isn't even REAL??

And forget the articles, on the social networking sites, it's even worse. I've had similar experiences on Facebook where people have been so hurtful that it's actually brought me to tears. And worse yet, it came at the hands of a friend.

To make a long story short, I posted a Bible verse on a Christian-themed fan page. I'm a Christian myself, and my faith means everything to me. It's also a very sensitive subject for me. So, I thought, 'well, if I can post this verse anywhere, it's gonna be on this page.' So I posted it and thought nothing more of it. What I hadn't expected was a response to my post.

A person posted a response that was not only filled with vulgar language, but scattered with incredibly hurtful comments that had me literally crying at my computer. I had no idea who the person was, as their name was "Anonymous Jane" or something like that. So, I deleted my post and stayed away from Facebook for a bit.

When I returned about two weeks later, I noticed a conversation going on between two of my friends. One of my friends had posted a link to an article where a man claiming to be a Christian was ranting about killing gays, lesbians, Muslims, etc. Everything that I believe in--this man was saying the exact opposite. But what got me even more upset was what my friends were saying about Christians. My one friend, whom I had always trusted to accept my ideals and beliefs without judgment, was saying word for word what that anonymous user had posted on my post.

Perhaps it was only coincidence. Maybe it wasn't really her. Either way, it really upset me that she had always pretended to be fine with my faith, but in the relative "safety" of a conversation between friends, she revealed how much she hated what I believed in.

So, just remember what our mothers always used to tell us. "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all." You never know who your comments may hurt.

Movie Magic

Over the weekend, I went to see 'Alice in Wonderland' in 3D at the Loew's theatre in Cherry Hill. I went with my sister, my mom and her friend, and two of my friends, and we all met up at the theatre for the midnight showing. My mom and I waited in line to purchase the tickets. My mom bought three tickets for the IMAX 3D showing and paid, using a coupon she had from our Entertainment book (btw, I love this thing--saves us SO much money!). As she finished paying, I realized something...

We had only bought three tickets.

I, my mom, my sister, and my best friend all needed tickets.

Three tickets. Four people.

And a 20-minute line behind us...

I told my mom she had forgotten a ticket, which of course got her very flustered (she's not used to going out with four people). She asked the guy at the counter if she could quick buy another ticket, which he agreed to. As she's going to pay, she suddenly blurts out,

"Oh, but now I used my coupon already!"

I'm not sure how many people know this (I would assume quite a few since it was on the news), but they just raised the prices of 3D movies by about $4, I believe. The coupon was for $4 off. So, it makes a difference.

Now would you believe it, the guy behind the counter grinned and punched in the code for the coupon again. "Don't tell anyone." He said, winking as he run up the ticket with the coupon price. It definitely made my night. That, and the amazing movie. :)

I love the Loew's theatre. Definitely going back to see another 3D movie.

Surprise at Starbucks

So, last Tuesday, I went to Starbucks as part of my morning run. I normally would hit Wawa on the way, but I was craving a latte something fierce. So, I was waiting in line at Starbucks, and this woman ahead of me had a print-out coupon. So, out of curiosity, I asked her what it was. She explained that it was Free Pastry day, if you had a coupon. I asked her how long it was going, and she said until 10:30 AM. I nodded and then went back to deciding on my latte.

As she walked away and I approached the counter, she suddenly turned to me and handed me a coupon. I made to politely refuse, but she explained that she had printed out an extra coupon in case anyone wanted one. She then handed it to me and walked away.

I just thought that was really nice, to go out of your way like that for somebody. It made my day. :)

Shopping Cart Shocker

I've come to notice that everyone has a distinct style of pushing a shopping cart.

First, there are the normal people who push their carts normally and try to be aware of everyone else. They're not factoring into this discussion, however. So, continuing:

There are the zoners. You know, they slowly push the cart down the aisle with their elbows as they stare aimlessly off into empty space. It's annoying because it's almost impossible to get their attention so you can get around them. I would compare them to the rush-hour driver--the one that is so drained from work that they just choose a lane and sit there the entire time.

Then, there are the zoomers (these are terribly mature names, right?). These are the ones who run with their carts down the aisles, come to a skidding halt, grab their stuff, and take off again. Sometimes they jump on the cart and coast along. Not only are they annoying, but that can be dangerous too. Just last week I was part of a terrible 3-cart pileup in ShopRite. The kid didn't stop his cart in time, and plowed straight into mine, which sent mine careening into an old man's cart next to me. These are the speed-demon drivers that feel the need to burn half their wheels off as they zoom off from a stoplight, and weave in and out of traffic like a stuntman.

And finally, there are the swervers. These are the ones that slide back and forth across the aisle and effectively prevent you from getting past them. They're the jerk drivers who feel the need to cut you off and then go nice and slow (like 15-20 mph below the speed limit).

I ran into (not literally) one of these guys today. He kept weaving his cart back and forth, and every time I tried to squeeze past him, he would move his cart to block me. And all while maintaining a snail's pace. When I tried to slip past into the aisle I wanted, he jerked his cart, hit mine and turned into the aisle ahead of me. Then, nonchalantly, he turned around and pushed his cart away. I couldn't believe it.

I don't know what I should have said, so I didn't say anything at all. I'm noticing a trend. When people are rude, it shocks me, and I end up saying nothing. Am I letting them all just push me around? Should I try to be tougher? But this guy was at least twice my age. I was raised to respect my elders. Ugh. Now I'm just giving myself a headache.

On that note, I think I'll sign off for now. Till later, dears. :)

A Not-So-Good Eating in the Neighborhood

So, I went to Applebee's today. Now, I'm not hating on Applebee's. I love the restaurant. Unfortunately, even the best food can be ruined by lousy service. We were seated nice and quick, and our waitress came to give us our menus. After we ordered our food, we proceeded to wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait!

About an hour later, we got our food. Completely cold. And our waitress proceeded to vanish. I didn't see her for another twenty minutes or so until she walked by again. By that time, we had finished eating and our empty plates were sitting in front of us. She walked right by and began chatting with the girl behind the bar. Thinking she might not have known we were done, I put my napkin on my plate. 15 minutes later, she finally came up and asked us if we were done with our food. Yeah, I was done all right.

We still ended up tipping her 15%. I don't know, should we have complained to the manager? Maybe tipped her less? Either way, a waitress ignoring us like that is ridiculous. I'm just not sure what I should have done. Any suggestions?

A Shocking Display of Indifference

So, I went to an arcade with my friends last weekend. It was one of those arcades where you get the card with the points, and each card holds a different number of points, and each card costs different. Having never been to this particular arcade before, I was staring at the list in complete confusion. My purse was jingling with quarters I had brought with me, assuming it would be the typical arcade with the quarters. So, while I was trying to reason out the point system, my friends went and bought their own cards.

However, as soon as my friends had purchased their cards, the woman behind the counter turned and walked away. For several seconds, I stood there and watched her depart before hurrying after her and apologetically explaining that I needed to buy a card, too. However, I was shocked when she curtly replied she was on break now, and I would have to be patient until someone could come and take care of me. I asked her when someone might be along to help me and she sighed exasperatedly.

"How should I know?" She snapped and walked away.

I still can't believe that someone would act this way to a customer. I mean, I understand having a bad day, and I understand that working in a service position is very taxing, and the break is a bright speck in a very dark and difficult day, but to act with such indifference and incivility is just...

I mean, how would she feel if our positions were flipped? Would she feel I was justified in my actions? Or would she, like me, feel wronged and angered?

I've noticed that situations like this seem to happen to me a lot. Am I the problem? Am I just being overly sensitive? I don't know. What do you typically do when something like that happens? I didn't really know how to respond, so I just sort of stood around like a moron. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm out. Good night. :)