I'm tolerant of everything but an attitude.
Disclaimers and Statement of Position
Green is good. It's important for all of us to conserve resources and I believe in eating organic foods when possible. I'm not currently a vegetarian but I've been one in the past. I love Mother Earth. I love red wine too.
Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. There are petite people and large people. Some bodies are sinewy, and some are soft and curvier. A big smile on most body types makes for an attractive person. Squishy, severely overweight does not qualify as a healthy body.
Some kids and teens might be predisposed to carrying a little more weight. I understand this. I really do. Kids go through growth spurts where their bodies store a few extra pounds while they prepare to grow vertically. The majority of large children, in my opinion, are NOT predisposed to being overweight. They're simply consuming too much food and not moving enough.
Proper hygiene doesn't always mean a good smelling person. I realize that many people are using natural soaps and shampoos to avoid chemicals. Clean people may not have a clean smell. They may have a neutral smell. They should not however, smell like B.O. and bong water.
Piercings and tattoos are an art, a form of self expression and personal decoration. If I were younger I would likely have a belly button piercing and a little jewel in my nose. I think both are adorable. Ink can be very cool and pretty. It can be scary too.
Shopping at Whole Foods
This was my last stop on a day of running several errands. I was tired. I placed my items on the belt to be scanned. My organic, power-grains bread, organic tomatoes, napkins make from recycled paper [I buy them because I like the tan, unbleached color to be honest.], soy candles that don't produce carcinogens (at least not that they've discovered YET), and a few conventionally produced items (gasp).
The smug, 17-year old checkout girl shifted her gaze unapologetically, from my purchases to my outfit, to my handbag - clearly forming opinions in her little, organically stoned brain. Here's where I hope my disclaimers are helpful...
She was smelly, dirty (in a purposeful way), pierced everywhere including those disturbing eyebrow piercings that almost make me faint, tattooed on her throat (maybe she was older than 17), and FAT. Not a little curvy, or just big-boned, but squishy, eats too much Mac-N-Cheese when she's stoned while sitting around contemplating how effed-up the world is - FAT. None of this would have bothered me if she didn't have an attitude.
I wanted a bag. That's all. I didn't have a canvas bag with me or a bucket or a big enough purse to shove everything in - sue me. I needed a bag for my stuff. Maybe even two.
I didn't get two, because the sweet, little gal was intent on cramming everything into ONE bag to make her point. I wanted to rip her eyebrow rings right out of her fat forehead - or at least give them a solid tug. [Her forehead really was fat. I'm not making that up.]
The girl says, "Do you need a bag?"
"That would be helpful today. Thanks."
She suggested if I was parked close I might be able to stack my things and carry them to the car.
"Nooooo. A bag would be good."
She sighs AND rolls her eyes, "Paper okay?"
"That's fine... I'll recycle it y'know?" [I hate when I justify myself to a smug, urban-granola teenager. Hate it.]
I got home, unloaded a day's worth of stuff and started making dinner. The Whole Foods paper bag? This one's going to the landfill. [Not really, I'd feel too guilty.]