Trend of Entitlement

My husband and I decided we would like to visit a neighboring city on a recent vacation.  The city we were vacationing in offered public transportation as a way to get from point “A” to point “B”.  Being from a small town, certain things are not available and public transportation is one of them.   I had NO idea what to expect and I had NO preconceived ideas.  However, with my personality I immediately said, “lets take the bus, it will be fun”.

Fun was definitely an overstatement!  For the next 2 hours, I watched as people from all walks of life stepped on and off a bus (which by the way made 20 stops between point “A” and “B”).   We met many by name and even learned what had brought them to this place.  Several were immigrants working at local hotels and this was their only means of transportation. One was a loud, obnoxious man upset that the air-conditioning on the bus wasn’t working to his standards and stated on more than one occasion, “The driver on the previous bus was not “personable” enough”.   

However, my favorite was a widow lady on her monthly trip to the local Walmart to be the first to get the day -old cakes marked down after 2pm. You would have thought it was a prized possession.

I left that little adventure realizing that the feeling of entitlement doesn’t necessarily come as a result of “income” or the lack of it. Some on that bus felt it was the government’s responsibility to provide them transportation while others were just glad to have a ride.

Now I admit raising my kids in a small town might have had its advantages.  I don’t remember explaining to my kids why they couldn’t have the brand new truck or the most expensive pocketbook or shoes.  I worked hard to make sure they had things they needed and tried hard to give them things they wanted, but I never wanted them to feel entitled to anything.

Was I overzealous in giving in to wants versus needs?  Did I tell them the truth, that sometimes it was hard to pay the light bill?  Did I teach them how to appreciate small things because I saw my own parents struggle?

I honestly don’t know.  But I am certain I see a trend that some feel entitled to things.  I am also determined to make sure I teach my grandchildren the value of a dollar and to remind them that hard work never hurt anyone.  But most of all appreciate the small things and always be grateful for the ride.