A Rant
Put your rants here for the Writing 12 class to read (and for our class, too, of course). Have all work posted by Tuesday at 6:00.
NEW: Please pay attention to your word count! Maximum is 350 or so (but shorter is better).
Read examples at The Pearson Buzz.
9 comments:
The Driver on the Right
The traffic is heavy on my morning commute, the cars are travelling the usual 60 to 70 kilometers an hour in the 50 zone and, when I check my mirror there he is—the impatient guy getting up close and personal with my bumper.
The light turns red a block ahead and most of the cars begin slowing down. I do, too. Somehow, this enrages the guy behind me. He darts into the right lane and passes me, accelerating towards the light.
Just before he runs into the waiting cars, he slams on his brakes. I come up behind him and wait. The light turns green and we all start out again and I watch this guy do the same thing several times before arriving at the next light.
People complain about the high gas prices and worry about global warming these days. How can we explain the behaviour of city drivers? Driving like this guy doesn’t only bother the rest of us. It also puts more carbon into the atmosphere.
Traffic engineers say that driving smoothly, at the speed limit, and coming to gentle stops would make traffic flow faster than it does now. In other words, guys like this make traffic move slower! No wonder people like him drive me crazy.
But people are irrational. He probably complains about his gas mileage and the cost of gasoline, too. Thankfully, people who do this are in the minority; unhappily, however, on today’s commute, I witnessed four different cars making right lane passes in 20 minutes. One of them was a huge truck being used as a commuting vehicle. But that’s another story!
—273 words; first draft on Friday, April 18
Pyramid of Society
Excess high-volume noise, non-stop unnecessary argument, long time single position possession… After fighting these for eight hours, I finish my work and head to the manager’s office to pick up my paystub. Then comes this over-weight , arrogant manager, who always talks in bullet-like speed, easily turns me down and ends up with a cold “ I am busy and you come back later” all because I don’t perfectly catch his words which makes our less-than-five-minute encounter a waste of his precious time.
I am aware that the higher academic background a person own, the higher level he will be in the pyramid of the society; however, that doesn’t mean a ruler could treat his subordinate in his own way without considering others’ feeling.
The wide range of bottom society is filled with devoted and hard working people who deserve not to be treated like nothing but cheap labour. The so-called upper class tend to be superior to others and never show their respect. Of course a seemingly-friendly hello doesn’t equal the acknowledgement of value.
Being an immigrant without native-style English just makes my situation even worse. My first job in Canada is loading giant box of watermelons in Superstore, whereas the one time the conversation between manager and me is “hey…that produce guy…I need you clean the floor. Where is your damn supervisor?”
Some people believe in elitism and say the current society is well running by a few talented, wealthy and powerful “elites”. But in my eyes most of them are by no means better than cold and small-minded animals in modern jungle.
Every year hundreds of thousands of new immigrants come to this free land to pursue their dreams and consolidate the labour market. Who really appreciate their contributions and listen to their voices? I doubt that. (300 words)
Triple L
I hate than people late, lie, or lazy.
I am a punctual person myself. However, I understand that sometimes outer circumstances may delay your departure. Traffic, bad weather, sicknesses, and a busy rhythm of life are parts of everyday routine. But for some people being late is the part of their routine.
I have an example of total unpunctuality among my dear friends. This couple is always at least two hours late. Diner parties always delay because of them. I feel uncomfortable starting a diner without one of my guests, so those who showed punctuality are forced to hold their appetite for another few hours. Every out-door activity has the same beginning – a group of people is nervously waiting for someone. The result is we are all late. Hundreds of tickets were exchanged. Thousands of obscenities were launched. Millions of monologs about punctuality were enunciated. But they keep being late. I guess it all comes to the old question - “Can the leopard change his spots?”
Among with hating people who are late, I hate even more people who lie. My always-late-friends come up with unrealistic excuses every time. At one time they were stuck in traffic, although other guests (from the same area) came in time, at another they locked their car keys in the car, or they wanted to buy a bottle of wine but all liquor stores were closed (all four of them). This tendency of inconsistent excuses makes me think they lie. I prefer a truthful story how they were making them ready for too long, than an absurd story that makes me feel like an idiot.
The third L in my hating list stands for lazy. This category of people I meet at work all the time. It amazes me how they love to be paid, but how they hate to work for it. They find every possible “reason” to not to get their duties done. Sometimes they do the same easy task twice to make an appearance they work hard. I call them parasites. They live at the expense of other people. In the nature they are part of the chain that you can’t eliminate: however, in human society I would like to get rid of them.
Everyone ones in a wile feeling lazy, being late, or even making a lie; but, everything is good within reasonable limits.
(395)
GET TO WORK!
Most of the Canadians homeless are a bunch of lazy people. I know so many people will be mad at me for saying this, but listen to my reasons.
In Colombia my mom, grandma and grandfather did not have a job and I spent more than a year applying for the job I never found. Most of my family members don’t get as much as they deserve in their paycheck, but still they have to go to work. Colombia unemployment rate is very high and the wages are terribly low. In Canada is totally different, you apply for a job and you don’t have to wait more than a week to find it. Almost every company is hiring and wages are decent. EVERYONE CAN WORK!
One day I went to down town, then I saw all these homeless people asking for money. They got on my nerves. I was above to tell them that I came here with nothing –not even English- and I found a job, rented an apartment and don’t ask anyone for THEIR money because I can work for it. I was impressed when I cross by Hastings and people sleeping on the streets while signs of “hiring” were hanging in the restaurants’ doors. I hate those homeless asking me for MY CHANGE, while they look at me with eyes of desertion, like saying “Don’t be mean, I have nothing”. You know what? I have nothing either, no family here, no money, and I’m facing my reality, now you face your own life. Don’t ask me for a penny because I WORKED hard to get that penny.
When I go to Colombia, I give money to homeless people because I know they don’t find jobs and life is not easy at all down there. When I’m in Superstore and those homeless stand up close to me to get the Looney from by buggy, I get so mad and I feel like saying: “GET TO WORK, LAZY! If I quit my job I would be here next month to beg for money as you do, so leave me alone with MY LOONEY!”
A Big Thorn in the Butt
When asked what “the rant” is for me, one very obvious answer quickly comes to mind. That is miserably and frustratingly – my communication skill, in English of course.
For people who were born with a natural feel for words, they probably have no idea what I’m talking about. Well, I’ll just tell you.
As an adult, I am used to freely express my opinion on things and gain knowledge of other’s experience. That also is the main component of my recreation life—I’m such a chat lover.
When talking in English, all pleasantness simply disappears in thin air. Not only do I have to tolerant my own awkward skills, I also have to sometimes put other’s feelings aside (good chance that they would be frustration) and force myself to just keep on talking.
It’s tough to count how many times, when the time comes for me to be able to speak, but, I just wedge there. All the great thoughts and ideals I would like to share build up in my head, with no where to leave to!
And what’s even worst? It’s when someone tells a joke, and boy! Do you have the encouraging comment to add? However, it just won’t come out right. Then of course, you spoil the joke for everyone and also leave yourself in a sticky and discomfited situation which always turns out to be unexpectedly embarrassing.
So all in all, having difficulties with communications is a big thorn in the butt. But then again, what’s life without some troubles which gives you another goal to accomplish. (262 words)
Bad Influence
My son takes the Tae Kwon Do lessons in the Oriental Martial Arts College three times a week. On April 4th, it was a rainy Friday. The weather is still cold although it is spring now, so my son wore a new thick cotton coat that day. We need twenty minutes to walk to there.
After my son finished his lesson, we couldn’t find his coat in the changeroom. Someone took it away because there was no additional coat left. My son only had a thin uniform; he would get sick if we walked for twenty minutes. We reported to the grandmaster. He is a nice man, and he drove us to our home. He said maybe the coat would be returned next week. I hoped that it was a careless mistake someone made. My son was very upset on the weekend.
Next Tuesday, nobody returned the coat. On Thursday, when we got there, the master told us that there was a coat left yesterday. I took it and had a look. The coat was the same style as my son’s, but it was very dirty and torn. Moreover, it was a small size that my son couldn’t put it up.
Obviously one kid’s parent changed the coat. My son was hurt because he liked that coat, but he wore it only once. I was angry but I couldn’t find the target. This was no different from steal! I surely knew that her behavior would badly affect her child. Although she got a good coat, she lost the basic principle as a human being.
Parents play the very important roles in the growth of children. Parents’ behaviors make a strong impact on the children’s. I hope that parent can realize the mistake, and becomes a good example of her child.
(302 words)
Eating Healthy
Eating healthy is a good goal but how we can reach that goal is a mystery. Nowadays, this topic is very popular and everybody has an opinion about which diet is suitable and which one is not, time will tell us. Having a healthy diet which is popular and make sense for everybody involves having a lot of vegetables, some fiber and some protein. This diet also has some too but: if you have to choose the organic one, you have to pay more, and finding them is more difficult - and also according to some studies there is no significant differences between many organic and non organic vegetables—so there are a lot of steps you have to consider if you want just eat vegetables. The other hot topic is using supplement in your diet. There are different resources that you can use to find the supplements you need. If you look at the positive side, all of the vitamins are good for your health, but how much is it good for your health is a big question. After I watched a program on TV I decided to take one fish oil supplement per day. To find the right one is a big challenge. However, after I purchased and used it for a while I decided to go to the internet and research about the side effect of this supplement. I found tons of websites about that supplement which had a lot of information about the side effect. After I found out about it I decided to not take it anymore because I think that supplements can do more harm on my body than benefit. However, having a good diet and living a healthy life is a big challenge in these days. What do you guys think? (300 words)
Show Respect When you Place a Call
I get furious when people use verbal abuse to an individual for their race, colour, background or sex. But, I become more irate when people distinguish immigrants for having an accent.
Working, in a call center has tough me several skills in how to listen and treat English speakers (Americans) even though, I have to say some of them are definitely idiots! They seem to enjoy, when they start screaming, and insulting an individual just because they pay for a service.
Last night, before my shift ends I received a strange call from an irate customer. So, I answer the phone politely and enthusiastic.
” How may I help you” I stated.Immediately I hear this lousy voice who ask me:
“What do you need from me, so you can help me? “
As soon as I hear his irate tone of voice, I try to sound very blissful, but unfortunately the customer keeps shouting me and cutting me off.
Like he wants to start a fight, I even let him to vent on me, but it was insignificant, as he continues acting irrational.
Finally, I made a sudden halt, and try to paraphrase his issue. But, my intention does not work, so he rumble in to my ear “Don’t you speak English?” or “Are you deaf?”
Subsequently, I became upset, so I thought this customer does not need my help instead he may need a psychologist to listen to his frustrations.
I did really want to help him –it was my last call- but his ignorance was more powerful than his brains, to see beyond his eyes. I guess he will remember to be more respectful next time, as I did not stay until the end of his placid treatment.
293 words.
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