Alaska News

Neanderthals in our society need to clean up their act

I read with interest that Wal-Mart was under investigation for the Nov. 28 tragedy in Mineola, N.Y., when a worker was trampled to death by hordes of frenetic Black Friday shoppers. There was an assertion the store didn't have the right "protocols" in place to handle a bargain-crazed mob who couldn't wait to get their sweaty hands on big-screen TVs and other merchandise from China and Korea.

Rather than castigate Wal-Mart for not acknowledging the fact some 21st century humans have regressed to the level of Neanderthal, how about examining the latter's despicable behavior? Perhaps Wal-Mart is remiss in not placing a large sign above the door that read:

"Please move into the store in an orderly, civilized fashion and try to refrain from acting like imbecilic animals, even though we realize buying cheap merchandise is the most important thing in your pathetic lives."

Bad behavior is now so rampant in our society that we're becoming inured to and even tolerant of it. Here in Alaska, I can cite numerous examples of disgustingly bad behavior:

High school graduation ceremonies held in the Sullivan Arena, for example, have degenerated into something as casual and pedestrian as sporting events. The arena's acoustics are poor to begin with, and with people continuously talking and yelling, and small children shrieking, speeches from the podium are impossible to hear. The only things missing are vendors walking up and down the aisles selling hot dogs and beer.

At a West High School awards ceremony several years ago, students talked loudly throughout the event, and they were seated right next to the principal! I kept waiting for him to do something. I realize now I shouldn't have waited but instead should have taken on the task myself.

At some restaurants, parents seem to tune out while their children yell and scream and carry on. At times I've felt like wearing ear plugs to reduce the decibel level. When my young children misbehaved in public places like restaurants, my wife and I worked shifts. One ate while the other took the unruly child outside to the car.

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People who take babies to movie theaters are high on my list. I've always given these folks the benefit of the doubt by assuming they can't afford baby sitters. But over time I've become convinced they could find a baby sitter somewhere but elect not to. They're just inconsiderate boobs.

Apparently, being considerate of others is no longer an important part of American culture. The best evidence can be found on our roadways, where nearly every day someone proves that they are as safe behind the wheel of a 3,000-pound vehicle as a terrorist with 100 pounds of enriched uranium.

We've become so accustomed to tailgaters, speeders, red light runners, erratic lane changers, pull-out-in fronters and brake-gassers that we almost don't even register an emotion when we're suddenly cut off or nearly forced off the road. But we should.

We shouldn't tolerate unthinking, life-endangering behavior.

Which brings me back to the Wal-Mart tragedy. We can't give every shopper an IQ test or a Myers-Briggs personality test before allowing him or her into stores. But store managers can politely admonish customers to display civilized, common-sense behavior when they are on the premises, especially during fire sales like Black Friday. Perhaps such admonishments could be reinforced by Taser-toting employees.

Frank E. Baker lives in Eagle River.

By FRANK E. BAKER

Frank Baker

Frank E. Baker is a freelance writer who lives in Eagle River.

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