RANT MODE ON

"ATM machine" and "PIN number" - ATM is the acronym for Automatic Teller Machine. You wouldn't ask for an automatic teller machine machine, so why would you ask for an ATM machine? You have an ATM card, and in order to withdraw money, you just need access to an ATM. Similarly, you don't need to remember a PIN number. PIN is the acronym for personal identification number. You probably weren't issued a personal identification number number, so you won't need to provide your PIN number for any reason.

"needless to say" - People who use the phrase "needless to say" don't seem to understand the meaning of those words, and those who repeatedly use that phrase really just have no clue. If it's needless to say something, why do you then follow that phrase with the very thing that is supposedly not required to be said? Are you just being redundant? Or feeling contradictory? If you're going to say it, just say it.

"smile" - Why do people say to others "smile"? Do they think that the other person simply forgot, and that with a simple reminder, the other person will be grateful for having been reminded? Are they so demanding that everyone has to conform to their wishes to at least pretend to be blissfully happy, whether or not the person feels that way? What if the person doesn't feel like smiling? Perhaps it's not a bad day or a good day, but just a day. There are lots of those. Ordinary. Normal. No need to frown, but no need to be smiling all the time. People tend to be wary of others with a constant smile pasted on their face for no apparent reason anyway. Why can't someone just be neutral, non-emotional? Or maybe someone is having a bad day. Maybe they have a headache. Or maybe they had a fight with their spouse. Or maybe their pet died. Or maybe worse. Would telling them to smile help? Or would it be putting them through more stress by insisting that they put on this facade, because some people apparently can't handle it if others aren't smiling constantly? Even if the intentions are good, and unless someone's picture is being taken, PEOPLE SHOULD STOP TELLING OTHERS TO SMILE FOR NO APPARENT REASON!!!!!

"How long have you been growing your hair?" - I have fairly long hair and have had long hair for most of my life, with the exception of one brief period. I generally cut my hair about every two years or so. I've never understood what people mean when they ask me how long I've been growing my hair. My first reaction is to say "All of my life," and yes, once, I have actually responded with that answer out loud. Do they think that I've shaved my head and have then decided to grow it all out, and they're wondering how long that period has been? Do they mean "when was the last time you cut your hair, and how long has it grown in that time"? If so, why not just ask that? If not, I have no idea what kind of information they are trying to elicit from me.

RANT MODE OFF

We're fine ... we're all fine ... here ... now ... thank you ... How are you?  <wince>

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Last updated May 12, 2002.