Are we?
Why am I asking?
I've been thinking this weekend, about whether we've been slowly pampering ourselves to the point that we're unable to cope with anything outside of the ordinary. And when things do go wrong, do we expect too much from "those responsible" ??
First we have the Eurotunnel disruption, apparently caused by severe weather conditions and causing people to be "stranded" for some hours in trains and cars, without food and water... are we now no longer expected to go hungry for a few hours???!!! Are we not able to cope in a queue of traffic unless someone taps on the window and offers sandwiches and hot coffee?
I just listened to a Eurostar passenger on the BBC, whose Paris-London journey had take 11 hours. The train broke down in a tunnel and because there was no electricity the guard could not operate the tannoy and therefore needed to walk up and down the train to give information directly to passengers. But this guy complained that they only got information "every hour". What do people expect? The guard needs to receive information himself, then walk up and down a train giving mini speeches to passengers, probably answers numerous questions too, all in between performing his other tasks, and all within an hour.....
Maybe the past has a tint of pink rose, but I can't help thinking that years ago people accepted that things can go wrong, things can break down and maybe sometimes people have to just pull together to get through problems, and be glad that they pulled through, once the ordeal was over. Why do we always need someone to blame or even sue? Why does it have to be someone else's fault? Are we not capable of riding out life's events?
Is it not wise when we travel to cary a bottle of water and a snack? Does anyone really set out driving in winter, with forecasts of snow, and not have a blanket in the car boot? And whilst I sympathise with Tengu, whose water main had sprung a leak yesterday, but do you really not have supplies at home to cover a temporary emergency? I understand it was annoying that the water engineer didn't knock on everyone's door, but instead got on repairing the leak But come on A few bottles of water plus basic food stuffs should be in everyone's cupboard. Forest fires, nuclear leaks, lorry driver strikes, computer system failures, swine flu, civil unrest, aliens.....there are millions of eventualities that could happen any day. We don't have to worry, but we should all be prepared, whatever situation we are in. Things can and do sometimes just "go wrong". I just fear that many of us are too soft to deal with things when they do
Why am I asking?
I've been thinking this weekend, about whether we've been slowly pampering ourselves to the point that we're unable to cope with anything outside of the ordinary. And when things do go wrong, do we expect too much from "those responsible" ??
First we have the Eurotunnel disruption, apparently caused by severe weather conditions and causing people to be "stranded" for some hours in trains and cars, without food and water... are we now no longer expected to go hungry for a few hours???!!! Are we not able to cope in a queue of traffic unless someone taps on the window and offers sandwiches and hot coffee?
I just listened to a Eurostar passenger on the BBC, whose Paris-London journey had take 11 hours. The train broke down in a tunnel and because there was no electricity the guard could not operate the tannoy and therefore needed to walk up and down the train to give information directly to passengers. But this guy complained that they only got information "every hour". What do people expect? The guard needs to receive information himself, then walk up and down a train giving mini speeches to passengers, probably answers numerous questions too, all in between performing his other tasks, and all within an hour.....
Maybe the past has a tint of pink rose, but I can't help thinking that years ago people accepted that things can go wrong, things can break down and maybe sometimes people have to just pull together to get through problems, and be glad that they pulled through, once the ordeal was over. Why do we always need someone to blame or even sue? Why does it have to be someone else's fault? Are we not capable of riding out life's events?
Is it not wise when we travel to cary a bottle of water and a snack? Does anyone really set out driving in winter, with forecasts of snow, and not have a blanket in the car boot? And whilst I sympathise with Tengu, whose water main had sprung a leak yesterday, but do you really not have supplies at home to cover a temporary emergency? I understand it was annoying that the water engineer didn't knock on everyone's door, but instead got on repairing the leak But come on A few bottles of water plus basic food stuffs should be in everyone's cupboard. Forest fires, nuclear leaks, lorry driver strikes, computer system failures, swine flu, civil unrest, aliens.....there are millions of eventualities that could happen any day. We don't have to worry, but we should all be prepared, whatever situation we are in. Things can and do sometimes just "go wrong". I just fear that many of us are too soft to deal with things when they do