cimorene

it's irrational to get pissed off when, like, people are rude to you randomly, or inconsiderate, or whatever. people are bound by laws and by rules (say, if they attend a school or whatever) and by obligations that they enter into. social obligations are another thing entirely, which isn't to say that they don't exist, but people don't have to follow them. you don't have rights to things from other people, beyond those rules and laws. you don't have the right to expect things from them, really; and our whole society, all of human society, is built around expectations and unwritten contracts and if you do this for me i'll do it for you, and it works. it works. but what works in the general--doesn't work in the specific, because no given person has to--. give up their seat because you need it more, or step out of your way, or let you cross the street, or make allowances for you showing up late, or say something nice to you simply because they know that you'd like them to. but we're wired, wired, to expect it. and thus to be disappointed. we're wired to expect things to be fair, and in that we include that if we do something for someone they return the favor, and if we like someone we like them, so we're monumentally offended if someone we liked doesn't like us, or if we do something nice for someone who accepts it rather blankly, and does not feel moved to be nice in return.

i'm a lonely painter
i live in a box of paints
i'm frightened by the devil
and i'm drawn to those who ain't afraid
i remember the time you told me love is touching souls
surely you've touched mine
because part of you pours out of me
in these lines from time to time