No matter what finally occurs from what is shaping up to be a major societal disruption (at best), there will be four groups of people:
1) There will be a group of people that were unprepared, did not panic buy and prepare, and suffered in some way, shape or form. These people will visibly decry anyone else who prepared, demand laws be put in place to prevent hoarding, and quietly wait for the government and the masses to take care of them in the event of another emergency. They will blissfully believe that society is indebted to care for them.
2) There will be a group of people that were the panic buyers but having been publicly shamed and called out, will repent of their ways and quietly wait for the government and the masses to take care of them in the event of another emergency. They will blissfully believe that society is indebted to care for them.
3) There will be a group of people that were already prepared for this who, when it is over, take stock of what happened and where their holes were and will prepare all the harder.
4) There will be a group of people that were also the panic buyers or were those that suffered and thought society was indebted to them who will publicly repent, but will quietly begin preparing in the event that something like this happens again. They will do so under the radar because they learned the last time that preparing in the emergency only brings attention and scorn.
As always, be polite and kind to all. But make an effort to seek out those in groups 3 and 4.
"As always, be polite and kind to all. But make an effort to seek out those in groups 3 and 4. "
ReplyDelete-----------------------------------
Easier said than done, TB... and I am not so sure that being polite and kind to all is good advice these days. We've created three generations of various monsters that take up entire communities and maybe even whole states... and they don't understand kindness. They bite the hands that feed them and will devour those that try to help them...
I understand TB. But being polite and kind does not necessarily mean giving them a hand to bite. Think of as the sort of nodding kindness drivers share along a country road. Acknowledge - but that is about it. No one can complain about polite and kindness - well, for me if I am rejected in that, I am strangely less kind.
DeleteI tried to tell 'em... "Be a 3... Be a 3..."
ReplyDeleteDid they listen?...
No Pete. But maybe they will now that they have experienced how quickly and radically things can go South.
DeleteTime will tell whether or not folks learned anything from this. It's amazing how short the public memory is.
ReplyDeleteLeigh, I already see people "projecting" what will come out of this. Strangely enough, it is people who see a rise of all the things they want to see in the world. The reality, I think, will be much different either way.
DeleteIf it is truly bad, people will be angry government did not do more. If it turns out to be nothing, people will be angry the government crashed the economy.
Sadly, even if we win, we lose.
There is another group that exists... That is the group that are the panic buyers who are not repentant. This group will be the first in line to get a refund for the perishable product they bought that spoiled because they were careless and didn't preserve it or properly store it. Or are the proud owners of 2 years worth of paper product that they now wish that they hadn't bought because it cuts into the slush fund. But if circumstances would happen again, they'd willingly repeat their ways at the expense of others.
Delete~hobo
Hobo - True enough. Maybe there are a combination of 1 and 2? But yes, they are our there and will show up in force when this is all over.
DeleteHey TB, I think I'm in the #3 category. We have a well-stocked pantry, lots of food in the freezer and plenty to do at home. Since we are natural hermits, we don't go out more than once a month anyway. BUT...I do see where I could be more prepared now and I will definitely learn from this experience! Hope you and the family are doing well!
ReplyDeleteRain, we ended up being sort of 3.5. We were somewhat ready - not nearly as much as I would have liked, but better than a great many other people. For me, the staying in is not a problem, but I am the great introvert of my family.
DeleteI am taking notes of the holes as well.
We are doing well, thanks for asking. Everyone is now home and we will just wait things out. Hope your snow ends soon!