What's FAIR? Definition and random ramblings

Have you ever wondered (or observed) that nasty people seem to get ahead more often than nice people?

I've been thinking about this a lot (for some reason) the last few days. Maybe it's because it's that time of year again when my birthday month is about to begin.

I know...you are saying to yourself..."birthday MONTH? What the heck?

LOL

If you are, then you don't know me well (yet). Don't knock birthday month until you've tried it. It's a pretty awesome and yet sublimely simple concept.

During your birthday month, any time you disagree with the general consensus, or need to have a "tie breaker", you declare your birthday month status, and...case closed...you get it your way.

At first, others may think this unfair - however, it's probably one of the more fair things in life. Everyone has a birthday (regardless of race, sex, age, religious affiliation...), and so everyone can participate. There are no real "rules" about birthday month...basically, if you have a preference that others do not share, you invoke birthday month privileges, and the disagreement is immediately resolved.

Wanna watch a TV show that others don't? Birthday month! Watch what you want.

Wanna go to a restaurant? Birthday month! There you go!

The cool thing about this is, most people will comply because their turn is coming eventually too. :) The folks that don't abide by "birthday month" are in peril of not having anyone give them their way during their birthday month...so you see...there is reason to joyfully accept this premise.

Generally, we wait until the month is "invoked" by the birthday person...sometimes waiting for them to realize it's their own birthday month can be quite entertaining in itself.

(GOOFY, are you "listening"? bwahahaha!)

This "rule" is entirely up to the players however...as with any other "rules" you all choose to apply. What works for one, works for all, so being selfish here can have unexpected consequences...a word of warning...be careful what you wish for. LOL

I've been digressing, though.

I've been seeing many examples of folks getting their way - getting ahead - by being nasty, nasty people. They treat those around them badly...they display no morals, or ethics, or any particularly laudable behavior at all. And for some darn reason, no one seems to call them on it.

People below them are afraid, I imagine. They've seen what happens to those that dared to disagree or stand up.

People on equal footing are apathetic, afraid themselves or actually approve of the career strategy.

These are also, often, the folks that think to themselves "well they do those things to others, but they'd never do that to me".

Well...good luck with that.

These are also generally the people that sit back and watch things going on, knowing it's not right, but can't bring themselves to say anything (because deep down, they know that being visible is akin to asking to be a target).

I think that these "colleagues" are the worst in the scheme of things. They have the ability to speak up as an equal, but they don't. Cowards I guess...but still culpable in the long run.

People "above" them often have no clue. Sometimes they do, though, and approve of the ends justifying the means. Maintaining ignorance, or the appearance of ignorance is key in this role. If they really don't know, it's generally because of the perceived power of the nasty person scares all into silence (they really don't have as much power as most people think that they do - hence their terrorist reign over their imaginary "empire").

So...where am I going with all of this rambling? I don't know...lol

I guess I've been exposed to this behavior in my career. OK, I know I have. And I was one of the folks that couldn't look away from the hypocrisy. For better (or worse, really), I took a stand and spoke up when things were wrong. Immoral, unethical, inhuman (spelled intentionally that way).

It's known by those that know me...don't ask for my opinion if you don't want an honest answer. lol I don't expect or require you to agree with my opinion, but you'll get the real thing...that's just how I am.

And, I seem to have an over-developed sense of "right" and "wrong" as well.

So, as a comic once said...

I had the right to remain silent...but I didn't have the ability to. :)

(to be continued)

;)

M&G