I often think that people would be a lot nicer if it was mandatory for them to experience certain things. For example, in the BBQ pit there is now a thread about awful, inconsiderate customers. So I think that everybody should have to work in the service industry at some point, just to make them more empathetic. What experiences do you think everyone should go through in order to be more empathetic/fulfilled/what have you? It doesn’t have to be bad, necessarily, so if you think that everybody would be much happier after spending a week drinking margaritas on a beach in Mexico, that’s acceptable too. If you like, you can include an explanation. Here’s a few of mine.
Everybody should have to: [ul][li]Work in the service industry[/li][li]Be dumped[/li][li]Go to a country that doesn’t speak their native language so they realize the difficulties foreigners in America face[/li][li]Wake up with a pimple the size of Texas and awful hair on an important day so that they’ll have sympathy for those with less than perfect skin and hair[/li][/ul]
Cross a picket line, or anything else that will scare the hell out of you that is probably not physically dangerous but takes a lot of courage to do. I have nothing against the unions, but some years ago one was on strike that usually delivered the product I was selling. We were rapidly losing our livelihood, but were given an opportunity to drive trucks to the distribution center to get some product, but to drive out, we had to cross a picket line.
Loaded, we lined up our trucks single file, each waiting our turn and sweating bullets. Finally first in line, waiting for that gate to open with all those pissed-off truckers on the other side waiting for me, I was more scared than I had ever been in my life. I honestly thought about bailing out, but when the gate opened, not unlike a rodeo, I was out like a flash, unintentionally laying two parallel patches of rubber for many yards when I finally hit the pavement on the other side of the gate after spitting poundages of gravel inside the gate.
One other guy and I felt pretty bad about crossing a picket line but not bad enough to change careers. As our little protest, we refused the extra pay the owner gave everyone who crossed the picket line and made it back with the goods.
Lorenzo, I agree with the “especially frightening” experience, but not the picket line per se. I was raised by two die-hard union supporters
Going slightly along with the “foreigner” idea, I think everyone should have to experience being the minority. When I had just began college, my first week was orientation and I knew almost no one. One day, en route to a workshop or something, I saw a girl I had met earlier. We walked over together and she introduced me to all of her friends, and we sat in one big group. She was black, and all of these friends were as well. I was the only white girl within a large radius and, although I don’t consider race a big deal in my daily activities, I was surprised to find myself a little unsettled.
Ooh I ahve a good one: Having to choose which one of your beloved family members will die, and which will live. You’ll hate yourselves afterwards, but I think more people should hate themselves.
I think everyone who thinks that we in the US are too solicitous of civil liberties should have to take military basic training, mayber every ten years for 90 days, under a sadistic SOB of a noncom who has the whole weight of the US Government behind him and thinks you are are a ****head.
By the way, I didn’t mind basic training, or any other part of my Army training, at all, but I saw some poor guys who got crossways with the system and their plight was really pitiful.
Just yesterday I was thinking about the fact that I never went to my prom, and how it really doesn’t bother me at all. I spent years thinking that it was something that I should have done, but, thinking about the whole high school thing, in general, eh…nothing lost.
This may sound a bit odd, but I think that everyone should have to go through a divorce, or at least have a way to be able to truly understand what it’s like to go through. Lots of self-discovery, and helpful, in realizing, what it is that you truly want out of a life partner.
A few of my suggestions:
[list=a]
[li]Drink too much and get a hangover afterwards. (The regret is great, but it never stops you)[/li][li]For Americans: Go to a baseball game (yes, it can be boring, but it’s our game)[/li][li]Go on a long roadtrip. (destination optional)[/li][li]Do something for charity, or help someone less fortunate (Yes, one person can’t make a difference to a problem, but you can help one person)[/li][/list=a]
I would like for everyone to experience what it is like to be a teacher in a public school.
Everyone should be a dog for two or three weeks.
I agree with previous posters in regard to military training. However, I would like to mention something that is often ignored but yet a big part of military training. Everyone should have to learn how to operate a buffer. I had seen this being done and I assumed it was easy. It looks easy. Good grief, I had that machine all over the bay at 2 in the morning. I woke up half the platoon.
Everyone should have to host a large gathering of snobs.
Everyone should work for tips.
Everyone should have to umpire a baseball game or officiate a basketball game.
The problem with this kind of thing is that experiences and what you learn from them are two separate things. The fatal flaw in the “suffering builds character” theory is that often, suffering tears down character instead.
That said, I think everyone should go through the experiences of: being raised by loving, non-abusive family; having several very good friends; laughing until you ache and you can barely breathe. That would be a good starter list, I think.
I agree with Throatshot. I was going to say “go hungry” but I think “be poor” might be a more appropriate thing to learn.
I would also throw out there: Don’t drive. For a day. A week. Whatever. Ride your bike, ride the bus, walk, etc. Just to see how it is not to jump in your car and meet your needs. For fast food, ride a few miles on your bike.
I think everyone should have at least one consensual sexual encounter with someone outside of their sexual orientation. If you’re gay, sex with someone of the opposite gender. If you’re straight, someone of the same gender. If you’re bi… um… you pass.
