Useless Conversation

[Signe]

What an awful day!  My packages from Amazon have been sitting in the truck for three days because we're having some road work and the UPS driver is a pussy and won't come down the road to deliver my 40 lbs of kitty litter.  I called and complained that the post office and FedEx didn't seem to have any difficulties getting here.  He came half an hour later with a box so abused I almost called the FBI to report a serial box killer.  Luckily it didn't leak much because I'm nearly out of kitty litter.  Amazon shoved the SR3 game in the same box even though they were ordered on separate days.  It was well battered and bruised.  And they didn't bother to send the liquorice I bought for my sister to defray the shipping cost even though it says on the order that it's been delivered.

I'm losing my will to live.

Signe, call Amazon CS and tell them what happened.  High probability they will apologize and comp you.  Something.  Do it.

I emailed support but I'll give them a call, too.  My only fear is that they'll flog some poor underpaid warehouse worker slave.  :(

[Hawkbit]

Amazon CS is almost all people working from home.  I've hired a few with that job on their resume, and none have anything good to say. 

[Hawkbit]

We got back last night from a week in the Olympic Peninsula and down the Oregon coast.  Pretty good trip, if a bit cloudy. 

Had a chucklefest at a sign we passed for the "Felt-Johnson" wedding party.  Heh.

[Soln]

Amazon CS is almost all people working from home.  

No.  It is not.  And regardless good to ask for a better experience and see.

[Furiously]

This isn't about a "show." It's about being there, unfortunately, over the fucking I Heart Radio concert - which was in error. We didn't know about it when this shit was planned. Furiously, September 20-23.

Cool... I'm there the same days.  Want me to check if we have any extra rooms in our block of em? (MGM)

[Hawkbit]

Amazon CS is almost all people working from home.  

No.  It is not.  And regardless good to ask for a better experience and see.

Then what exactly are the people and jobs for Amazon that are WFH?  I've interviewed at least four people that did Amazon CS from home, and I've interviewed none that did Amazon CS from a call center.

[Soln]

Amazon CS is almost all people working from home.  

No.  It is not.  And regardless good to ask for a better experience and see.

Then what exactly are the people and jobs for Amazon that are WFH?  I've interviewed at least four people that did Amazon CS from home, and I've interviewed none that did Amazon CS from a call center.

I'll PM you.  FWIW I'm not white knighting the company or disagreeing with you about quality. 

[Rasix]

It's kind of sad that I have to deal with bullying going on at my son's school, and he's only 4.  At a private school run by Sihks no less.  I guess some kids are always going to be dicks no matter how small their victories have to be. 

Makes me apprehensive about ever sending him to public school.  I did not have a good time there, and toughening up really isn't a pleasant experience (nor something that really happens, IMO).

 

[Sky]

Last night, nothing on tv. She says "I'm going to put on the MTV awards, it's for work." (She's the music librarian) I say "There's so little on there worth watching these days, but it could be funny."

Miley Cyrus comes on.

What the fuck did I just watch.

Then random people and chains show up and yell about someone's ass.

Then there were some ads or something with dubstep or whatever ear assaulting hot mix nonsense and I had to shut it off.

I'm so happy to be old.

[Sky]

Da Smif Fam's reaction to aforementioned Miley weirdness:

[Merusk]

Yeah that came up on my Facebook from Gawker and someone was concerned enough to point out that it's not Miley they're reacting to but Gaga.  Because it matters!  Hah!

[Yegolev]

I'm still wondering why Tina Turner is sitting next to Will Smith.

[Rasix]

Segregation.

[ghost]

It's kind of sad that I have to deal with bullying going on at my son's school, and he's only 4.  At a private school run by Sihks no less.  I guess some kids are always going to be dicks no matter how small their victories have to be. 

Makes me apprehensive about ever sending him to public school.  I did not have a good time there, and toughening up really isn't a pleasant experience (nor something that really happens, IMO).

It really can get you fucking depressed.  I love having kids, but they are definitely a constant source of worry. 

[Merusk]

People tell me I'm horrible for it but this is why I tell my kids life isn't fair, shit happens and they need to learn to cut ties with fucked-up people.  I encourage them to talk to me when I see their mood has changed and sometimes I'll even force it out of them when they're being dodgy. Then we talk about it, go over what they can affect and how they can avoid whatever is going on down to if they need to confront the bully themselves.

We had an issue with the daughter when she was young because she had a mole on her chin.  One of the local shits was bullying her over it and it eventually got to the point we had to bring it up with the principal, who did nothing. So instead we turned to helping her deal with it and told her that we were ok if she needed to deck the kid. She wouldn't be in trouble with us if she got suspended for sticking up for herself, and that decking him was probably better than addressing the real reason he was bullying - he was fucked-up over having found his mom when she suicided the year before.

Eventually we had the mole removed, but I think showing her that we supported her buoyed her spirits and ability to cope more than anything else we attempted.  Plus pointing out that the issue was HIS and not hers and this was his twisted way of trying to deal with it.

[Rasix]

Yeah, I know eventually we'll have to deal with real shit.. but.. HE'S 4. I'm not explaining that the world is shit to a 4 year old.  He really has no clue why this kid (who was his friend) is doing this.  It's not like he can really articulate to the teachers what is happening either, because it's not physical violence.  This one kid is isolating him by not allowing any kid to play with him.  He goes to play with a friend and the other kid goes up to his friends and takes them away to go play with him.  The other kids just go along because, hell, they don't know what's happening either (3 and 4 year olds).  It's some pretty advanced bullying, but it's the only thing that kid can do under their system there.  It's making my son miserable and turning him into someone no one will play with.  

I saw it happen this morning and wanted to pick that fucking kid up Ultimate Warrior style and toss him over the fence.  The thing is, I imagine his parents still thing he's friends with my son.  They're never around to see him actually interact with other kids because he's in early and after care.

edit:
Anyhow, this all really first world problems ^2.  We have a son who is generally happy and healthy and goes to a nice pre-school.  He wants for naught and has a lot of family support.  Just some enterprising kid has managed to make bullying work in a way I didn't think kids his age would stoop to.  Because, why does a 4 year old really care how happy another 4 year old is?

[Furiously]

Yeah, I know eventually we'll have to deal with real shit.. but.. HE'S 4. I'm not explaining that the world is shit to a 4 year old.  He really has no clue why this kid (who was his friend) is doing this.  It's not like he can really articulate to the teachers what is happening either, because it's not physical violence.  This one kid is isolating him by not allowing any kid to play with him.  He goes to play with a friend and the other kid goes up to his friends and takes them away to go play with him.  The other kids just go along because, hell, they don't know what's happening either (3 and 4 year olds).  It's some pretty advanced bullying, but it's the only thing that kid can do under their system there.  It's making my son miserable and turning him into someone no one will play with.  

I saw it happen this morning and wanted to pick that fucking kid up Ultimate Warrior style and toss him over the fence.  The thing is, I imagine his parents still thing he's friends with my son.  They're never around to see him actually interact with other kids because he's in early and after care.

DIscuss it with the staff then take you kid to a better pre-school?

[ghost]

Yeah, we had an issue like that with our son for a bit.  It got better for him.  I definitely think that merits a discussion with the teacher and some serious questioning about why it isn't being noticed or handled. 

[Hawkbit]

It's not first world problems at all. Kids at all ages are very impressionable, the younger even more so.  And bullying is unfuckingacceptable, especially at that age.

My daughter was getting bullied for the first half of second grade by a boy.  We also had the same talk when she was seven, I just told her after weeks of this kid picking on her that she needs to just let fly on him in front of everyone and she won't get in trouble with me.  It never transpired, and not long after the issue just kinda resolved itself over time. 

To supplement, I put her in a tae kwon do class that really focuses on discipline and anti-bullying.  I've seen marked improvements in her attitude towards other kids in school and she's only been in it for 9 months.  It's not the best answer for a 4yr old, but when he hits 7-8, I'd suggest it.  The school we have is almost like a second set of parents and has helped us grow her confidence and behavior.

[Rasix]

Teachers have been contacted.  It's being handled.  Just stressing me out. It had gone from something that had happened only a few times during the summer/beginning of the year to a daily thing.

DIscuss it with the staff then take you kid to a better pre-school?

I think we'll be able to get through this year fine.  Kindergarten is another issue.  It's been a discussion even before this started.   We love the school, but they way they handle certain things and their academic approach raises some concerns.

[ghost]

Yeah, no matter what you do, even if it gets handled, it will still stress you out.  I guess that's how we're wired, as parents (or should be wired, if you aren't a raging douchebag). 

[Trippy]

Being bullied as a child can have negative health and other effects into adulthood, which is not surprising given how chronic stress is really bad for your health.

Impact of Bullying in Childhood on Adult Health, Wealth, Crime, and Social Outcomes

[Yegolev]

Is there a F13 member that wasn't bullied as a kid?

Also that Nickelodeon approach is bullshit.

[murdoc]

I can already see that one of my boys will be bullied when he hits school. He already likes to play on his own, has a temper that flairs quickly and causes him to react loudly and obnoxiously and is EXTREMELY sensitive. For an almost 3 year old boy, he gets VERY upset if he thinks you are laughing at him and not with him.

Little too much like his Dad was, that one.

The other? Oh he'll be getting to know the school administration quite well I imagine and as a result, so will I.

[Rasix]

Is there a F13 member that wasn't bullied as a kid?

Also that Nickelodeon approach is bullshit.

Middle school was hell.  I guess high schoolers didn't see much of a challenge.  I was like 5' at the start of it.

I can already see that one of my boys will be bullied when he hits school. He already likes to play on his own, has a temper that flairs quickly and causes him to react loudly and obnoxiously and is EXTREMELY sensitive. For an almost 3 year old boy, he gets VERY upset if he thinks you are laughing at him and not with him.

Similar temperament with my son. He's a bit too easy to mess with.  Jokes are not to be aimed in his direction.  You are not allowed to win games (apparently this is pretty common with young boys).  And at 3, THAT BALL WAS HIS.

Right now, he just doesn't get why this kid, who was his friend, wants to ruin his day.  Heh, he already is coming home for today due to an "ear ache".  50% it's real, 50% he's had such a shitty day that he just wants to be done with it.

fake it: Text message says it's real.  

[rattran]

I got bullied mercilessly (shortest, thinnest kid in grade school) until my Granddad explained the benefits of a boot to the groin. Things got much better, though I did end up suspended a lot for a couple years.

[Merusk]

I had a bully in 4th/ 5th grade until I learned I didn't have to take it from the kid just because he was black.

Oh!

Had a rough time getting along with one guy in 8th grade. The table of guys I sat with had this lunch ritual of "try to smash the other guys ho-hos/ twinkiees."  I picked his because he'd been making fun of my glasses, which were broken.  He popped me in the side of the head for it, sending them flying.   I whited-out,  backhanded him and turned his nose into a blood fountain.

Nobody picked on me after that since I'd shown I had a breaking point and would respond disproportionately. 

[Selby]

Is there a F13 member that wasn't bullied as a kid?

I trust no one as a result.  No friends, no close associates.

[Pennilenko]

Is there a F13 member that wasn't bullied as a kid?

Also that Nickelodeon approach is bullshit.

I wasn't bullied. I was big from manual labor work even at a young age, and reacted violently when cornered. My parents were feared because they were also violent and unpredictable. I kept to myself mostly and made friends with other loner/outcasts. I wasn't a bad ass or anything. Bullies stayed away because, I and my tiny handful of quasi friends were too much trouble when there was much easier pickings that didn't fight back.

Big crowded inner city schools were full of angry kids just trying to prove how tough they were so that nobody would find out they were just stressed and scared. There were kids that I knew that committed suicide because there was no protection or support system for bullying. I get mad at the ineffective parenting that produces the bullying that goes on. I always put a stop to it if I see it happening.

I got lucky about a year ago. Some 14 year old shits were seriously picking on this kid and his little brother. I stepped in to put a stop to it and they turned on me. I thought for sure I was going to go to jail for fighting off some kids when a couple of officers came around the corner on their bikes and bailed me out of a potentially horrible situation. Ten years ago kids would back off if they were out of line. Now they are desensitized and don't care about consequences. I am real careful now about when and how I choose to get involved.

[Nebu]

Is there a F13 member that wasn't bullied as a kid?

I apologize to all of you.  I was a bully as a kid.  I think that's why I'm mellow now.  That and all of the head trauma I suffered in college.

[Bunk]

I was the smallest kid in my elementary school until about grade six. I learned really early to befriend the really big kids in class and it helped. Highschool, I think I actually regressed socially somewhat. I was one of the nerds, but we weren't the nerds that got picked on - somehow there was an even lower tier than us. Probably because again, my group of friends had some pretty big kids in it.

[ghost]

Middle school was awful, not just for me but for everyone.  It really was a free for all.  High school got better because if you were one of the smart kids you essentially got segregated and didn't really have to deal with the dangerous kids.  But you had different sorts of bullies in those groups.  Bullying isn't just about pushing and shoving, as Rasix has even demonstrated with his 3 year old.

[Samwise]

Yeah, I was never physically bullied in grade school (probably helped that I was one of the bigger kids in the class), but I was always "the smart kid" so there was a lot of social ostracism.  I was lucky enough to go to a high school where I had academic peers and wasn't such an outcast, but I still haven't fully recovered from the social awkwardness I developed during my preteen years.

[Yegolev]

Maybe I should learn some hindi.

[HaemishM]

Being picked on as a kid (not much physical stuff, just the usual shit a skinny, brainy kid gets) taught me a lot about how to just let stupid shit go. My mom was a teacher and I was a toothpick so fighting wasn't really an option. It's probably why I tend to avoid conflict when possible now, and why most shit just doesn't get me riled up to the point of "give a shit." That annoys the piss out of my wife, who takes everything personally and is ready to cut a bitch on a moment's notice while I'm just like "what's the point?"