Feb 18 2008
Sharing A Cup Of Joe
Evelyn and I were watching season 3 of Quincy M.E. the other day and noticed something interesting: They share drinks. I don’t know why this popped out at us, but we both caught on to it. In one scene Sam pours himself a cup of coffee, takes a drink, then Quincy takes it and takes a sip. In another episode, Monahan takes Quincy’s coffee cup, transfers some coffee in to his cup, and then drinks it. Not only do they love their coffee, they love to share it.
I wonder when we stopped doing this. It’s not like Quincy was ancient history; the episodes we’re watching are from 1977. Was it AIDS which caused our current panic about germs, or something else?
Also, does this tie into our general “fear of everything” mentality? For example, the other day we picked up a set of “Creative Workshop” books. These were from 1976 and contain projects like these two “yard toys”:
Click Here For Full Size Of Cable Spool
Click Here For Full Size Of Spiral Staircase
Try and find a playground in the U.S. that has those kinds of equipment! What turned us from a society of making toys out of old tires into one where everything must be hurt-proof. Why are we so afraid of pain?
I don’t have any answers today, just more questions. I’d like to hear what others are thinking.
3 Responses to “Sharing A Cup Of Joe”
My favourite one is why are people so afraid of hugs? While working at a summer camp the first year I met my kids they didn’t hug. Some didn’t even show affection towards their parents and vice versa. It took some work to get them comfortable enough with my hugs. And after about two weeks I had the children not only giving eachother Bear Hugs but they were also giving it to their parents.
What really surprised me was when one of those parents would drop off their kid that parent came and gave me a Super Duper Big Hug.
Hugs are good. Children deserves all the affection they can get. We all do.
I say, Give a BIG Super Duper Bear Hug today.
I know I will.
Maybe women can get away with hugs, but men sure as hell can’t. I wouldn’t even think of going near a child, even if they were in trouble, out of fear of being labeled a predator.
Our glorious news services have made people think that 1 out of 2 men are pedophiles. I really do think that it’s hurt things like the Scouts (dislike the organization, like the idea) and mentoring.
For example, when I was trying to become a “Big Brother” I had to undergo extensive, extremely intrusive, background checks. It got so complicated that I just gave up and vowed NEVER to volunteer my time in that way. Frankly, if you are going to treat the majority of men as criminals, then I’m not going to waste my time.
I’m all for being “safe” but there comes a point where it goes beyond stupid.
I think nowadays it all has to do with what your relationship is with the person. There are people at my job that I am close to that I could and have hugged…but if my boss comes anywhere near me…back the fuck off you freak–and he’s gay so there is nothing sexual about it, I just hate the guy.
Also, I share drinks with Barry and would do so with my family. It all has to do with familiarity.