Here’s Looking At You Kid

Remember Bogart saying that in Casablanca?  It was a great line that has been repeated a million since that movie.  I’m a sucker for old movies, although some are a lot more boring than they used to be.  I guess we have been spoiled by all the things that can be done in movies these days.  Some of these remakes though, no matter how many special effects and big named stars are in them, can’t hold a candle to the original.

I often feel that there are people looking at me.  If you are handicapped in any form, you have probably felt that way also.  If not, I am sure you have seem people stare rudely at a person who is the least bit different than they are.  With young children, it can often be dismissed.  Older children, teens and adults cannot be excused for doing this.  Bad manners is bad manners and there is no excuse for them.

I have been looking at something in a store and having to lean heavily on the cart or counter in order to do so.  Many times I have “felt” someone looking at me.  I sometimes look sideways and sure enough there is.  Usually they turn away quickly and pretend they were not looking.  Once in a while there is a real jerk of a person who just keeps staring.  I sometimes just stare back at them or roll my eyes at them and go back to what I was doing.

Many people (and I am ashamed to say I have done this also) will turn all the way around to look at someone who is totally out of the norm of things.  Like someone who has clothes on that are so tight they look poured into them; someone with an outlandish hairstyle; someone who is loudly vulgar, etc.  My mother always commented on girls having odd colored streaks in their hair.  She would not listen when I tried to remind her that grandmother and most of her friends always had a blue or purple tint to their grey hair.

When I was young, children used to get smacked for staring at people, especially if they were handicapped and/or sick looking.  I remember when my son was almost three and went up to a pregnant lady and asked her why she was so fat.  I was very embarrassed by this but did not punish him since it was a legitimate question and not meant to be cruel.

With adults being almost more crude and rude than younger people, I am wondering just how quickly I would be arrested if I just walked up to one of them and slapped them.  I imagine it would be pretty quick.  The adults do seem to be much worse than the kids anymore.  I often wonder who raised them and if they were ever sorry to have not provided them with better guidance and discipline.

As I sit here typing this, I can feel eyes on me.  Glancing around I see that Buffy is standing on the arm rest of the sofa and watching my every move.  Even though she IS a spoiled brat, it is not a punishable offense.

As I look the other way, I see this:

 

I have eyes on me no matter which way I turn……….I guess that is a warning that I had better watch my step and behave!