on butting out.

I seem to have a problem of feeling like I need to be involved in other peoples' business. No, I'm not talking about my friends and their "what should I do with my life" situations...Strangers. Random people. Simple everyday situations.

Friday night Dad and I went to see the Bourne Ultimatum. We were almost done the movie, when the fire alarm went off. No one was really sure what was going on...so we filed out, like you're supposed to. It was a false alarm in the end, and we returned to the movie, re-claiming our seats. Now you'd think this would be an easy assignment for most logical adults to fulfill; however, there was one lady, I'd say early 50s, who decided she wanted to sit in a new seat...so when the gentleman who'd been seated there earlier returned to find his seat taken, he politely asked that he could reclaim it. Her response? "You must be kidding." Now keep in mind that all of this I'd observed out of the corner of my eye...but once I heard her response...my blood pressure rose. You must be kidding? YOU must be kidding, lady. Now I was involved as an observer. The end of the story is that he assured her he was not kidding, she called him some names that I cannot type on here, or my blog will be shut down, she found her previous seat, and the movie rolled on. Do you think I could focus on the movie? My mind was racing...wishing it had been me that had had the confrontation with her. Ooh...how I wished I could make her realize to what depths she'd stooped for a silly spot in a theatre for the remaining 15 minutes of a movie. Needless to say, my internal response was "fix this"...not necessarily beneficial or edifying...just there.

Scenario number 2 was on the ferry yesterday coming from Nanaimo to Vancouver. Mom and I had found seats near where the bus driver sells tickets for those looking for a one-way into downtown Van. As I sat, I couldn't help but watch as he sold his last few tickets, and people grew angry and frustrated that seats were unavailable. Then there was the added confusion of those who had mistakenly checked their baggage for stowage on board the ferry, when they should have held on to it and then had it put on the bus. Oh the chaos. Until the sales were closed and the bus driver left to undoubtedly eat a peaceful lunch, again, my blood pressure was high.

So what is all this about? To be honest...I think it's residual. Leftovers from years of being highly involved. As the RD, dealing with all the issues that pertained to girls living in dorms...as the waitress, recognizing that people are just plain grumpy until they get something to eat...and as the whatever my title is when I'm in Costa Rica, making sure things are running smoothly.

I think I need to learn to let others deal. No one likes the girl who can't just keep to herself...and I don't want to become that girl.