An Open Letter to the Diminutative Fellow Who Berated A Library Employee After Cutting Me In Line.

Dear Short Stack,

Although we only spent about two minutes in each others' presence today, I wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much you suck.

While I was re-registering my library card at the circulation desk, the guest that I was signing in was filling out forms at the Library Priviledges window.  Apparently missing the obvious signage, you proceed to walk up to the desk and demand that whatever pressing need you had would be taken care of.  When I returned from my absence of not more than 30 seconds, I tried and failed to block out your incredibly disrespectful railing against the employee behind the window.

Yes, we got it the first time when you said that it wasn't clear that there was someone in line.  It was clear, but it probably takes basic human perception to notice this and you've got better things to do, like maybe lord your newfound socialist answers over us sheep after taking Intro.  Yes, we got it again the second time when you refused to go get back in line--yup, you're irritated.  Great.  You're still wrong, but my training as a kindergarten teacher reminds me that I must acknowledge your feelings and use inclusive language.

"I understand that you're upset, Short Stack, and I'm sorry to hear that, but we need to make a better choice of how we will show that we're upset."

Yes, we still continued to get it when you accused the unflappably patient employee of being incompetent, hostile, and "disrespectful"--hey, I've used that word already--towards your refusal to acknowledge or address your breach of protocol and your subsequent hissy fit.  By the way, I'm still waiting at this point.  No, don't worry about it.

After calling over another employee who probably wanted to gently murder you, you then decided to pull that move where you ask the person what their name is so you can complain to their supervisor.  No doubt, this clown is going to get canned for not catering to your whims.  After all, HE is there to serve YOU.

So I believe that that is where I decided that enough was enough and decisively barked three words at you--are you finished?.  After realizing that you could not simply pretend not to hear someone next to you, you looked up at my face with an unfortunate visage and snottily replied that you weren't talking to me.  While laughing at you, you might recall my clarification that I was talking to you and you were wasting my time.  Guess it's my business now, isn't it?

Listen, Short Stack, here's the deal. You stepped in front of someone when another guest was being helped.  This was pointed out to you, and you had two options. You could simply bite your lip and wait your turn in line, or you could choose to flex your imaginary muscles and throw insubordination into the library staff's face--because hey, you're not going to take their crap.  You're too good for that, even if you are taking "Library Priviledges" a little too seriously.

It must be nice to live in your delusional, self-righteous world.  Exactly what have you done with everything that has been given to you, dear private university undergrad, that has benefitted those with less?  I couldn't know that, but if my hunch is correct, planning to maybe pay back your student loans some day does not count as "giving back to the community".

I've taken to calling you Short Stack since I do not know your name and I found it really, really funny that you stood on your toes to try to intimidate me.  I am referring to you as "Short Stack" in the comment form that I am drafting now. It praises the employee (by name) that dealt with you without raising his voice or simply throttling you.  You were smart not to argue with me any further, which is good because you were in way over your head.  I imagine that one in your position gets used to things being constantly over one's head.

I am tired of people in my generation with unmerited senses of entitlement and misplaced outrage.  Children who grow up getting what they want when they want it learn nothing about how the real world works, and parents who appease their vindictive offspring are directly responsible for any temper tantrums that their overpriviledged, ungrateful toddlers throw in college.  Welcome to the real world, Short Stack, where being disrespectful, uncivil, and all-around douche-y will earn you nothing but scorn and derision as you are ignored.  I can only imagine how many waiters have spit in your food.  Time to grow up.