When I was in my mid-20's I worked as a wardsman in a private hospital/nursing home. I had more respect & patience for the old folk that lived there than I did for the actual hospital staff.
Now, 20 odd years later, I'm living in a suburb that is populated by the rudest & most arrogant of old people I've ever come across...
This morning I'm sitting by myself at my local cafe, enjoying my breakfast & newspaper. This is my daily ritual, my zen-moment to begin the day.
Anyway this old couple comes by, pushing a trolley full of groceries. The old bloke then sits at my table whilst the old woman goes to the newsagency, metres away.
I glance at him, no big deal...he's just resting his legs waiting for his missus to come back...I continue eating & reading my paper.
Then she comes back with a newspaper & sits beside me...at my table. The table may have 4 chairs around it but it's only big enough for one newspaper, my plate & my juice.
The woman then commences to open her paper & lay it on top of mine & then the old guy calls a waiter over to order food for them.
This whole incident, in my mind, becomes a *** moment.
Within minutes, their food & coffees arrive & everything is dumped on top of my paper...I'm sitting there, staring with rage at them, wondering if this is a tv prank or something...
To my right is 3 EMPTY TABLES with a total of 12 chairs...ALL EMPTY.
My zen is gone...in the loudest, most peed-off voice I literally yell at them, "ARE YOU F-ING KIDDING ME!??!"
The cafe manager races over, recognises me,realises the strange situation that's gone down & politely asks the couple to take another table.
And for the next 20 minutes I take to finish my breakfast & paper, the couple are sitting next to me, muttering how rude I am.