Can you say "IN-uh-PRO-pree-uht"??

Oh my, do I have stories to tell about inappropriate behavior. Between work and personal, I've had my fair share of experiences in the last few weeks. Let's start with work, though, because the personal ones are just...wow.

Inappropriate behavior #1: Sticking out your tongue at the presenter during a class

Seriously? Yes. I'm just sad I missed it, although I would probably have been a big, fat B to the kid by calling him out and treating him like a kid. So, my department and 2 others spent 4 days presenting to 1600 students--college freshmen to be exact--on our departments' services. 20 classes. 1600 college freshmen. 4 days. Yeah, talk about burnout. I was smart enough to "delegate" a day to one of my employees while I took a "mental health day" off work. So, she's the lucky one who witnessed a college freshman stick out his tongue at one of my colleagues while she was presenting to the group. Seriously? Inappropriate.

Inappropriate behavior #2: Taking pictures of people during a presentation

I don't know if this is more inappropriate or just plain oogie. Tuesday, as I was presenting the ins and outs of an assignment to an art history survey class, this kid was straight up taking a picture of me. No, I'm not egotistical. Yes, I'm certain the picture was of me. He was holding his phone up in front of his face, not texting or reading anything. He was pointing the phone at me. Then, he pushed a button and put his phone down. So yes, I think he was taking a picture of me. First, that's just weird. And oogie. Second, a little subtlety would've been appreciated. Good gravy, when I snap camera phone pics of things I shouldn't, at least I have the wherewithal to be sly about it. Actually, my friend Joseph showed me how to take pics on my phone by holding it up to my ear and pretending to talk to someone. It works--you should try it some time. But still. Ick. This was some 18yo freshman, I'm sure. Just....ewwwww. Inappropriate.

Inappropriate behavior #3: Sending mean emails to staff

Where did manners go? I mean, seriously, are they still stuck back in 1999 because that's what it feels like. One morning last, after explaining to a student why his appointment had been canceled (dude, you're 19 minutes late to a 30 minute appointment, but whatever), giving him a card with our phone number to call in the future if he thinks he'll be late, AND reinstating his account because he'd already missed a few appointments before, this student felt he needed to voice his frustration by emailing one of my employees. Fine. But seriously? Are ALL CAPS necessary? (Let's not even talk about the grammatical errors in it...) I'm fine with someone voicing concerns, but I draw the line when the tone is ugly. And I'm completely over it when the response to my email calling him out on his inappropriate behavior--and I actually used the word "inappropriate" in the email--was an "oh, I mixed up the names, that was for you." Seriously? .... Seriously? Sending emails that call out people IN ALL CAPS just ain't gonna fly in my world. Inappropriate.

Moving on to the personal ones...

Inappropriate behavior #4: Flirting with your babydaddy over the phone in front of your husband

Yes. I'm serious as a rake in the head. So, the boy's babymama, or better yet babymamadrama (BMD for short), got in trouble with her husband a few weeks ago for flirting with the boy. Oddly, I'm not jealous (and if you know me, this is MAJOR because I'm normally the jealous type). Instead, I'm amused. And I just sit back and eat my popcorn while it all happens. Apparently, she tells him that her husband called her out for flirting. Lines like, "we get each other's humor" and "I just feel so comfortable talking to you" and other such things--all in the same conversation--just ain't gonna fly for the husband since those lines weren't directed at him. The boy tells her that what she's saying is inappropriate considering the facts that they're not together, she's married, and he's with me. She missed that memo. So the next time they talk, BMD tells the boy about her husband not liking her flirting with the boy...and then starts flirting yet again! Seriously? So, in the words of the boy, he just says to her: "Inappropriate!" Amusing, yes. But still. Inappropriate.

Inappropriate behavior #5: Calling your babydaddy girlfriend

Boy howdy at the popcorn-worthy drama. Let me preface by saying I wouldn't ordinarily have a problem with BMD calling me. However, when BMD picks a fight with the boy and gets nowhere with him, it's completely and totally inappropriate to call ME to try to power play ME through passive aggressiveness (on voicemail of course) in an effort to power play her babydaddy. First, when did I become part of the parental equation? Oh wait, that's right. I'm not. Second, when did I agree to be mediator between the two? Oh wait, that's right. I didn't. Third, when did it become acceptable to call me when he didn't answer her (repeatedly ignored) calls? Oh wait, that's right. It never did. So yeah. Inappropriate.

Wow. It sounds like I have a chip on my shoulder and am all cranky about some of this stuff. Rest assured I'm not. I laugh at them--mostly--and chalk it up to inappropriate behavior.

But you know, the more I think about it, I'm starting to think it's not inappropriate behavior as much as it is just flat out immature behavior in these situations.

Inappropriate behavior often seems to fit right along with immaturity.

Or so it seems.

Or is that just me?

Inappropriate Stuff

Just so everyone knows, I am watching South Park as I write this.

And I just sent a suggestive text to a couple of my friends. I also have a potty mouth, but I'm not the one cursing in elevators next to Alison. I try to watch it in public. I shoot birds whenver possible too. Maybe I shouldn't be complaining about inappropriate behavior since I seem to be the epitome of inappropiate behavior.

I'm going to be lazy, well lazy for me anyway, and make a list of what I think is inappropriate.

• Tonsil hockey in the hallway.
• Rude phrases in the hallway/classroom. Ex: "That's so gay," "That's what she said," etc.
• People who can afford new clothes, but not the rent money they owe me.
• My cousing bringing my high school nemesis to our family reunion. I'm sure she has 20 different diseases and infected the grass on my gradparent's property.
• Higher up's not being completely honest with their subordinates.
• Along with Alison, this male student who keeps hugging me.
• This sub who kept trying to wake up my students who WEREN'T asleep. Incidently my co-lab teacher is no longer allowed to be absent .
• Students discussing their weekends where I can hear.
• Comedy Central in general, but I love it.

I think just turned into a list of things that get on my nerves. I see inappropriate behavior all the time, but I just don't remember to keep up with it. Maybe I will add to this later.

Funny that I wrote about something similar today in my ABAC class. In my 9th grade English class today, I saw a boy who is dating another student in the class (female) start to act very ugly to her. She looked up at me, quite embarrassed. My mother in me wanted to snatch him up, but the teacher in me realized that wasn’t best course of action. So, I did the next best thing. I asked one of her friends to talk some sense in to her. Why do these girls think they have to take that kind of treatment? I will admit that when I was in high school, I was in an abusive relationship; however, I learned so much and wish I could share that will all teenage girls. I have endured my share of abusive relationships, and at some point, I will write a book about it, but right now, I simply want to rant about inappropriate behavior.

What about cursing?? I know the occasional word isn’t that big deal, and as shocking as it is, I do curse given the right circumstances. However, one of my ABAC students cursed today in class. I was shocked because I felt that this is an unwritten rule “no cursing in class” but apparently I am wrong. On another day, a student, not mine, used the f-word in the elevator. When I jokingly said “Whoa there. Let’s watch the f-bomb,” she acted like I had four heads. When did the abnormal become normal???

I’m not a prude, but I simply believe in common courtesy and I don’t believe those show common courtesy at all. When watching TV or listening to music, I can choose to turn the station. However, when trapped in an elevator, I can’t, so why can’t people be respectful of others?

On to another inappropriate subject. Why do high school boys try to hug their teachers??? When did this start? I find myself telling way too many boys that I don’t hug students. I guess I will have to add that to my syllabus, “Don’t try to touch the teacher in any way.” Hello?? What the heck?I just remembered another. So, a few months ago, I was at a movie night outside with my kids and lots of other families. One of my daughter’s best friends and her family was there. As we are all sitting and watching the movie, the dad comes by and rubs cold drink cans on me. I thought that a little inappropriate. So, just recently, same family is at school, and we are all participating in PE Fitness day at the school. One of the games was “cleaning house” but it was really old-school dodge ball, with softer balls. As we are all throwing balls, I get hit in the head with a ball. I look up, and the same dad is laughing hysterically. Are we six again? Dude, you are married. Get a clue. He obviously has no understanding of inappropriate behavior.

Well, I guess that sums up my current rants. I know I could go on for days, but I don’t want to foster my already Mary Poppinish image too far. Love to all!

inappropriate behavior

I'm generally pretty lucky to avoid most inappropriate behavior. When things get awkward, I bolt. However, a few days ago I was eating at Mori's and witnessed a pretty awkward date.

The lady was obviously new to the area and enjoyed eating a variety of foods from different cultures. At the beginning of the date, she was talking about enjoying a certain Korean dish and wondering if there were any good Korean restaurants around.

Her date, however, had obviously never been out in public before in his life. When the waitress brought out their sushi plate, the guy got this bewildered look on his face, poked the food and said, "What the hell is this".

"They're eel rolls," she replied, encouragingly, excitedly.

"Oh. OK". Poke. Poke. Poke. "Uh, is that guacamole" he asked, stabbing the wasabi.

She was horrified; he was confused.

"No, that's called wasabi. You use it to cleanse your palate." I think the word "palate" confused him.

"Oh right" he said, trying to cover for his mistake. "I didn't think it was guacamole, 'cuz we ain't at no Mexican place". She started eating faster.

Shortly after he answered the phone and began talking to his daughter... for 20 minutes. I can understand a child coming in first over a date, but it's generally pretty rude to hold a drawn-out conversation about gymnastics, grandparents, school assignments, and what Tasha said at recess.

After people started finishing eating, she repeated a few times that they should leave, because she didn't want him to be late to some event. Clearly she wanted to escape this date. He was clueless and kept saying that everything was fine.

"Well, you know, I really don't want you to be late".

"No, no, it's fine. I have time."

"Well, OK. I don't want you to be late, so we can leave at any time."

Oh awkwardness.

October 2010 Write Night

This month's Write Night topic is Inappropriate Behavior. Maybe you want to describe behavior that you've seen recently that seemed out of whack (like the sixteen-year-old I saw in the hospital sucking her thumb) or to discuss what should be appropriate versus inappropriate. Or maybe you just want to make fun of the way people behave or narrate your most recent experience with poor customer service . . . whatever works for you.

Or you can ignore the topic altogether and write whatever you want.

Just on a side note, I may not write tonight (depends on how the feeding and sleeping schedule goes), but I'll definitely log in later this week and join the discussion. And please remember to think of Write Night more as Write Week. Join us when you can.