What are we afraid of?

Two posts in one day, this could become an enjoyable habit. I had to share this though.

I went to the shops this afternoon. I had some errands to do, go to the library, post a letter, go to the bank and make a doctors appointment. While I was in the queue at the library waiting to have my books issued, I heard a librarian make a statement that has always baffled me. "You'll have to go over to that counter over there, I'm afraid." My ears pricked up. What? Why is she afraid?

I haven't heard this said as commonly here in New Zealand as I did in the UK. I heard it often when I lived in London for a few years. "Blah blah blah blah, I'm afraid." OK, I will probably be shot down by the PC brigade here, but I used to put it down to the general up-tightness that can be a bit of a disease over there.

Anyway back to the library. I watched the little old lady mumble an apology and wander over to the correct counter. What was the librarian afraid of? The little old lady was going to beat her to death with a library book for asking her to go to the other counter.

I"M AFRAID. It is either tacked on the beginning or ending of a statement, especially when asking people to do something. What is all that about? Has the world become that intolerant of each other that we are afraid? Has the human race become naturally apologetic? Is it a fear of offending people? It seems such a strange two words to tack on the end of a statement.

Why are we so scared? I have said it myself, a couple of times. I will admit it. I said it to a work colleague who phoned me at home. "I can't help you, I'm afraid, ". Why was I afraid? My work colleague and I are still on speaking terms. She didn't come to my house and attack me for saying I couldn't help.

I"M AFRAID. Humans, we are strange creatures aren't we?

Childfree vs Childless

This is my first post and it is starting with a rant. I went to the hairdresser yesterday. I needed my usual mop chop, I have the sort of hair that won't behave. Anyway, before I go off on a tangent, warning people it can happen, this is about Childfree and not hair.

The woman in the hairdresser asks if I have children, obviously wants to strike up a conversation. I say no and I'm not planning on having any. My partner and I are Childfree by choice. Then I laugh and say I am a school teacher and I have enough kids in my life. It was a joke, but I should have realised that if she had a sense of humour, she wasn't aware of it, because then she dropped her bombshell. She gives my a strange look and says "How can you be a school teacher if you don't like children?"

What is it with people? I don't want children and I am Childfree by choice. That does not mean I don't like children. How rude? I quickly put her in her place on that score. Let's just say it killed the conversation.

People just don't get the Childfree thing. There is this assumption that if you don't want kids you don't like them. I do like kids, I just don't have an overwhelming desire to populate the world.

Why do people think they have the right to ask? I've actually been asked by another rude person "Oh, is you or him?" Unbelievable! Rude!!!! They assume that not wanting children means the same as being infertile?

There is a real misunderstanding in society that Childfree is the same as Childless. We are not children haters! Childless is the unable to have children or not having had them yet. There is a difference. I have been in the teaching profession for nearly 12 years, I do like children. There is nothing wrong with not wanting to spawn. My life is complete, I'm happy, Angus is happy, we don't need or want to have children.

All I ask is for is a little pre-thought from these bulldozers of people's feelings and personal choices say their piece.