I'm not responsible for your behavior, or am I?

(Sarcasm on)
Your behavior is my problem. Clearly. And me saying otherwise at any time? Obviously incorrect. And my incorrectness is your problem to criticize. Make sense?

(Sarcasm off)
Yeah, it didn't to me either.

It's very easy to turn a blind eye to ignorant people you work with, or encounter in daily life. It's even easy to turn a blind eye to ignorant people you live with. By ignorant people, I mean people that have zero regard for how their actions and behavior can adversely affect the people surrounding them. The people that ignore the fact that everyone sighs heavily in their presence because they're waiting for screaming over something as inane as coffee creamer. The people that wont take a hint when you repeatedly walk away from their ranting. And the people that wont take their behavior into consideration even when truly approached regarding it.

I do not mean that these people are stupid. Not at all. Stupidity is a problem independent of ignorance.

In fact, stupidity would actually indicate a true lack of capacity to learn, or understand why the things they do, upset others. That would be an easier to stomach explanation. But, these people are just, simply put: ignorant. And that's not to say that one is perpetually nothing but ignorant, that would be nearly impossible. Humans do need sleep. However a few acts of normal and acceptable behavior does not negate staggering amounts of ignorance.

(Sarcasm on)
But like I said, it's my problem they're ignorant.

Why is it my problem that they're so painfully ignorant? Well, I've come up with four amusing reasons to start:

1. I have no right to my own preferences regarding personal space. It was stupid of me to ever desire my own personal space. Your wishes supersede mine. Every time. Please remind me of this the next time I want to be left alone and verbally express such. My apologies for overlooking my lack of rights in this department.

2. I have unrealistic expectations of communication skills. I shouldn't ever expect people to speak at a normal, non aggressive volume and tone around others. Especially my child. No... in fact, my child's very presence? Warrants louder, more aggressive verbal communications with other humans than normal. Got it.

3. I should not have become an educated woman. Women that potentially know more than ignorant people on a given topic are the worst form of evil. They should be talked over, and disagreed with regardless of topic, especially in matters of things like pregnancy, which only men can possibly experience fully and be authorities on. They should also be disagreed with over their knowledge of things they've gone to school for, and been licensed for, especially by people that never went to school to obtain the knowledge, and were never licensed. Got it, you know everything. Argue disrespectfully with me. Please.

4. Childish temper tantrums are acceptable. They are especially acceptable coming from grown adults. My mentioning irritation with this behavior, or simply pointing out the behavior? Also frowned upon. I know nothing. Please start kicking and screaming.

(Sarcasm off)
Surely you see the ridiculous nature of this situation. So I have to ask, why is your behavior REALLY my problem? Well, I'm here to tell you, it isn't. More over, because it affects me directly, I'm more than qualified to comment on it. If you don't like this, maybe, just maybe, you should change your behavior to not affect me directly, so I don't have room to comment.

Unfortunately, the moment I comment on this fact, I'm somehow the asshole. I'm the asshole for expecting more out of a human. I'm the asshole for expecting normal social skills out of every person on this planet equally, unless there is a true mental disorder, or behavioral anomaly explaining why that is impossible. I'm also the asshole called out on being an asshole... by supporters of the ignorant behavior culprit. That makes you either ignorant or stupid as well. Take your pick. I'm not calling you either specifically, but your behavior lends well to both currently.

But mark my words:

I'm not sorry I'm the asshole that expects humans to treat one another with respect, and dignity and finds it appalling when they repeatedly and routinely don't. Why? Because I respect you, even when you don't deserve it.

I'm not sorry I'm the asshole that finds adults lashing out and throwing tantrums to be ridiculous behavior from grown adults. In fact, I find it unacceptable from children. I don't loudly scream and demand attention over the most inane things daily. I expect the same from others.

I'm not sorry I'm the asshole that respects peoples space, and belongings, and doesn't understand how someone can't. Why? Because I don't barge in when you're asleep to ask questions that could wait. I don't interrupt you when you're clearly busy. I don't just assume I can utilize anything I see, simply because it's within my grasp. I respect everyone's space and belongings. I expect the same from others.

I'm not sorry I'm the asshole because I'm aware of what constitutes ignorance because I chose to educate myself both in books and life, and strive to be a better person in all things at all times. Again, I expect the same from others in my life, and if they're not capable of that, they are not included in my life. If they are forced upon me beyond this, do not expect me to find the ignorance acceptable.

And I'm really and truly not sorry I'm the asshole that will point all of it out, because your ignorance is not my problem. It is your problem. How it affects me becomes my problem, and if I comment on something that is my problem, that is my prerogative. If you don't like my problem, fix yours since it caused mine.

Fuck, did I say that? Yes. Yes I did.