To certain of the denizens at an institute of higher education...

To the slobs at my college:

Excuse me, you dropped something. Yes, I’m talking to you, you slack-jawed cretin, the one that just dropped the cigarette butt, the candy wrapper, the bottle lid on the ground. Please bend over and pick it up. Surely it’s not too much to ask a competent adult to display the necessary muscular strength, mental acumen and digital dexterity to do so. Is it too much to ask you also to hobble six feet and exercise your clearly challenged tempero-spatial aptitude such that you deposit it in the receptable so thoughtfully provided for the purpose? And here’s a hint: if you didn’t drop it on the ground in the first place, you could skip the first part and go straight for the second. Up to you, if you feel you need the exercise. But for Og’s sake, don’t leave it lying around the landscape for the rest of us to appreciate. Believe it or not, we aren’t enamored of your garbage.

What’s that? You think it’s not my place to speak to you about this? I’m not your mommy, or the boss or you, or the campus police? No, I’m not. I am simply an adult member sharing the community you choose to be a part of. As you are apparently unaware of a fact you were supposed to have learned in kindergarten, allow me to let you in on this: big boys and girls pick up after themselves. You’re in 13th grade now, kiddies, let’s see if you can display some mastery of the the basics of civilization. This is what we call "being a grown up.” And this is not really one of the difficult parts, like filling out your class schedule, or driving a stick shift or cashing your paycheck from BurgerOoze. Have you been paying any attention at all?

What the hell is the matter with you, you selfish, sniveling prat? Do you think mommy is still running around behind you, you little ninny, picking up your foul trail of putrescent leavings? By and large, this is a fairly nice campus. Do you think the fine, hard-working men and women of Facilites Management have nothing better to do with their time than scrape up the repulsive spoor of your carelessness? Are you just a puling, whiny, inconsiderate, infantile loser or are you actually the sort of animal filth that fouls its own nest? And whichever one it is, why do you think any of us should therefore feel privileged to share space with you? You are a blot and a canker. You are a carbuncle on the butt of this institution and the foul smell of its hairy, unwashed armpits after gym class. You are the booger sneezed onto the plate lunch of life, the bird dropping falling from the traitorous tree of beguiling shade into the soft drink of fine weather, the unexpected menstrual smear on the new silk panties of the morning, the cat shit on the living room carpet of the afternoon.

It’s such a small thing, it doesn’t even make a decent rant, but it besmirches unnecessarily what would otherwise be a fine thing. Over and over and over again. Go home and grow up, you grubby, nose-picking diaperloads.

Actually, it makes a lovely rant. Good on ya for telling this guy off. Doesn’t he know he’s making Indians cry? Or at least, Italians pretending to be Indians?

Goodness. I do hope this isn’t happening at MY alma mater.

Bring the smelling salts, Priscilla.

No, he’s making Kamehameha cry. Or Ka’ahumanu. Or maybe even Pele. Actually, if he pisses off Madame Pele, he should watch his back.

Thank you, Miller. Where did you matriculate, Ukulele Ike?

As the niece of a Facilities Management supervisor at a certain institution of higher education in Paradise, I thank you.

You’re welcome. Maybe your tutu can issue me an official badge or something. Like a nightstick for beating violators about the head and shoulders. Okay, maybe a foam one.

Absolutely know the feeling - and Maccas and Subway are only partly to blame. They may provide the wrapping, but they also provide the bins.
Why do young people have no sense of keeping the place clean anymore? (actually, some of our many cultured immigrants have the same problem, and they are not all young).
Good grief - and these are our future leaders?
And don’t get me started on the spitting!
But who am I to tell 3rd generation NZChinese/Vietnamese/Pacific Island people that we don’t do that here? I have less of a ‘local’ claim than they have. And, rugby players do it constantly!
Sorry 'bout that slight highjack - I’m okay now.

What about the buttcrumbs who don’t bother to flush after using a public toilet?

Now I’m taking this thread to Cuba!

Wow, I thought you were gonna rant about your husband! :eek:

I agree with you, though, people who foul the landscape with their litter should be made to pick it up with their lips.

BTW, Miller, the crying Indian was, in fact, an authentic Native American. Iron Eyes Cody.

Yeah, but there’s some debate as to whether or not Iron Eyes Cody was actually Italian. He definitely wasn’t fond of litter, though…of that there can be no debate.

Exactly–you are NOT their mommy! Neither is anyone else on campus, so no one there should have to pick up after them!!! Jerks.

Funny how the people who go into “I’m a GROWN-UP!” tirade when you remind them to do something are the same ones that will act the most like irresponsible children.

Reminds me of an incident that happened with my younger brother and sister. He asked her to get him a drink of water–which she did, bringing a glass only half full. He snapped, “Me BIG boy–drink FULL glass of water!” She snapped back, “You big boy–get OWN drink!!” In other words, one who feels the need to trumpet his maturity so loudly ought to back it up with ACTION.

Hmmm… how about:

Oh, excuse me, I assumed anyone attending this place was a mature, responsible, educated adult. I didn’t realize you didn’t qualify for that category. Shall I explain it for an immature, irresponsible, ignorant child?

[mommy voice]
We don’t throw our garbage on the ground, honey. That’s not okay to do. You see, it’s not nice to the people who have to clean up the grounds and it’s not nice to the people who have to walk around and see garbage. Do you understand? Now, what we do is, we throw it in this bin here. You see the bin? That’s right! Very good! I’m sure I won’t have to speak with you about this again, but please remember that people who throw their garbage on the ground will have to get a Time Out.
[/mommy voice]