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No Thank You
by David R Spellman
As a child I had been taught
relentlessly reminded
always use your "please"
and "thank yous."
Growing up with this
constant propaganda
I abided by those rules
well into my pubescent years.
It was then I began to notice
such strange looks I got
when I voiced these pleasantries
and how often people struggled
with choked response
a "you’re welcome" here
or "no problem" there
even an occasional "de nada."
Many years passed by in
subjugation to my training
until I was blessed
with an intervention
like the type used for
drug addicts and alcoholics
or brainwashed cult members.
They took me in and
after weeks of deprogramming
released me to the world
finally relieved of the burden
freed of having to mouth
those awful words.
Now I live without
the constant pressure
the gut wrenching tension
the guilt ridden mindset
of being expected to utter
or waiting in anticipation to hear
such strange syllabic gibberish
the illusion of refined mumbo-jumbo.
I would say thank you
to this group for opening my eyes
but I’m sure they wouldn’t appreciate it
and I wouldn’t want them to think
that they had wasted their time.
03/03/2003 Author's Note: This is meant as a satire. I am very much in favor of maintaining the use of such pleasantries and can even get a bit annoyed at their lack, especially considering how little effort it takes to say such simple words, whether spoken or written.
Posted on 03/06/2003
Copyright © 2024 David R Spellman
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Charles E Minshall on 03/06/03 at 04:43 AM Fun poem Dave: The old ways are the best.
I still believe in thank you, no thank you,
yes sir, no,sir, yes maam no maam, and opening
doors for a lady, etc...Charlie
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| Posted by Glenn Currier on 03/06/03 at 06:26 PM Hehe! an "intervention"... I love it... I had one or two such experiences myself... I think I was apologizing for taking too much time in my group therapy session (many years ago, of course, since I am all well now! :) ... I am glad they confronted me on it... now I have to be careful I don't put people to sleep as I go on and on... Thanks for sharing this. It was both fun and eye-opening, David. |
| Posted by Anita Mac on 03/06/03 at 11:11 PM Fun and cute, but I still find value in being polite... but I think I too may have been programmed that way... lol |
| Posted by Chris Sorrenti on 03/07/03 at 02:09 PM LOL! You wouldn't want to live in Canada then. We're all disgustingly polite to one another. I even thank the bus driver who drops me off at work. YIKES! Do you have the phone number for that rehab group handy Dave??? No thanks. :o) |
| Posted by Mara Meade on 03/07/03 at 02:58 PM eh heh eh heh eh heh.... love this one, David! |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 03/10/03 at 01:24 AM This really strikes home with me. I recall as a teacher having a PHD university professor make fun of teaching children such courtesy! I couldn't believe my ears! His whole idea was that children should be permitted to be their real selves. Well, the brand new school which we were opening descended quickly into a nightmare! The students were referring to it as 'the zoo'. Some students thought it great that they could do as they pleased and say what they pleased. Many others were intimidated and felt isolated! It was the worst five years of my teaching career and I had taught nine years! I was never so glad to get out of a school! LOL!!! |
| Posted by JD Clay on 03/10/03 at 02:25 AM It is definitely the simple things that make the largest impact, especially when unexpected and with little effort. This one resonates Dave.
Peace... |
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