[jambutty]

During the last fifty years or so society has slowly but surely become a me, me, me, me, me society where everyone else is wrong and they are right.

The rules of the road are for everyone else except them. Their kids are angels regardless of what they are really like and every other kid is a noisy monster whose sole aim in life seems to be to stamp on their car, their plants or break their windows.

Live and let live has gone out of the window as selfishness is taking hold more and more with each new generation.

Of course there are still plenty of exceptions to the me, me, me, me, me attitude but each passing year reduces the pool.

I have a simple philosophy – the world can make as much noise as it likes during the daylight hours but once the witching hour arrives it is time to quieten things down and respect other people’s desire to sleep. Kids need to play outside but should be discouraged (no prevented) from playing near cars. Accidents do happen.

It was only the other day that three kids from about 8 years downwards were roaming around my garden. I went out with a smile on my face and the words, “Hi lads! I don’t think that you should be in here.” Somewhat shamed faced the oldest one replied, “We are looking for my tennis ball.”

Seeing as my back garden resembles a meadow without the flowers, it was easy to see that a tennis ball could get lost in it very easily. “Good luck lads! I hope you can find it.” My reply saw them continue to look around and after a few minutes give up. There probably wasn’t a tennis ball and they were just bored playing in their own garden next door and decided to have a change of scene. After all grass some two to three feet high is much more interesting than a neat lawn to a few small boys.

Going out and ranting and raving will not get you anywhere, whereas a relaxed approach in a friendly manner with neutral comments will get better results. Hey! You might even get a game of football.