A Glass of Water

[purplerabbit]

A Glass of Water

You go into the kitchen and get a glass of water. What work is that?

Well, someone will have to wash and dry the glass. They will then have to put it back in the cupboard. If you didn't put the glass in the kitchen, they will have to pick up the glass and take it to the kitchen before they can wash it.

Of course before they could do that, they will have to pay the for the water both to put in the glass and the water to wash the glass. They also had to go to the store and buy detergent and a dish towel. Of course, before that they had to go to the store to buy the glass itself.

Then there is the rent on the house in which the cupboard in which the glass is stored. In order to pay for all of that they had to work some type of job to pay for the rent, detergent, water, dish towel and glass.

This much time (and consequently money) all for a glass of water. How much more for the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the bed you sleep in? Whose work keeps you clean, warm and fed? Do you contribute? If someone else makes your glass of water possible, how do you treat them?

(Just a thought from Dawn who is feeling overworked and under-appreciated today.)

Comments

[mystathena.livejournal.com]

Well, when you think about it, just about anything can be reduced or magnified to ask those questions! (You cut flowers for a vase, but someone had to plant those flowers, it requires energy for planting and space in the garden, the water to make them grow, and plant food, and someone has to do all that work, and who pays for the home that has room for a garden, etc.)

But it is good food for thought, esp. so near Thanksgiving time, even if afterward!

Whose work keeps me clean, warm and fed? MINE, and my husband's. We work together. I do all the housework, 50% of the gardening, and help run his business smoothly so he can spend more time actually repairing things and thus charging people (but I do all the paperwork). I do the cooking, the laundry, the errands & shopping, and those contributions shouldn't be overlooked. And I usually get my OWN glass of water. ;)

Somewhere along the lines, years ago, Mark and I formed an agreement to always express some gratitude when someone does something for you, whether it's just dinner or lunch everyday, or cutting their hair, or giving a massage. The words THANK YOU and/or "I appreciate it" can go a long way! I can understand feeling underappreciated; it's hurtful and annoying. It really bugs me too when people can't even be bothered to show a little common courtesy and good manners.

When someone's acting that way, I just give a blatant "you're welcome!" as a little clue-by-four on the head. They usually get the message. Or you could try something a little less blunt, but... well, maybe someone else will have a suggestion there. *L*

Sounds like you've been overworked a lot lately. Try to schedule some off-time for yourself before you burn out completely and raize the house to the ground. ;)