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Entry 31 Midwest to New York Purgatory Ahh the post office. Some refer to it as “The Second Happiest Place on Earth”. The first, of course, being Disney Land. But I have a problem with a place where you have to wait in line for an hour without the payoff of a nauseating thrill ride at the end. Today, I spent forty-five minutes in line trying to mail my mother a birthday gift. It was a month and a half late- something I now understand I could've blamed on the post office. When I got to the front of the line, the lady at the counter said “you gotta buy a box”. Ok. No problem. “And you‘re gonna have to buy tape. You want it?” She looked at me as if she were telling me I needed to have surgery and she wasn’t sure how I was going to react. I told her that I had waited in line for forty-five minutes and all I wanted to do was mail the box. During the rest of the transaction, I was asking questions like “What’s the difference between priority and regular?” and "Why can't I just mail this in any box?" and she gave me strange looks like I should’ve known the answer. This reluctance to be helpful is something I've grown to hate about New York. You either know everything or you‘re stupid. If you burden someone by asking a question, it had better be good. The post office is just one battle. I have so many petty daily battles that I can’t decide weather it’s the Tourists or the New Yorkers I hate more. When I ask questions, I sympathize with those eager tourists, so innocent yet so mistreated. And when I’m asked stupid questions, or when I’ve been made late, I identify with disgruntled New Yorkers. I’m in Midwest- New York purgatory, if you will. So here are some helpful hints to both sides. New Yorkers; It is your job to answer questions when you are at work. If you work at Starbucks, get my coffee. If you work at a deli, make my sandwich. Do not act annoyed that I have asked for you to do so- that is why you are there. Tourists; If you are at a Starbucks or a Deli and don’t know what you want, don’t get in line. New Yorkers; Hello. It is a simple word. Say it to people before you bark demands at them and I promise your food won’t taste like spit so often. Tourists; People don’t have time for you to talk about your trip so far. Just ask for directions and leave me alone. New Yorkers; Sometimes you think you’re being ballsy and assertive to get what you want. But you’re really just being an asshole. And no one likes you. Tourists: When you get on the train, don’t stand in front of the doors. Those are made so people can get in and out. If you need more information on how this works, don’t come to New York. New Yorkers; Give old ladies your seat on the train. WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? Tourists; We walk as our form of transportation here in the Big Apple. So if you’re on the sidewalk, don’t stroll. Some of us have to get to work. If you really need to walk slow, walk in the bus lane. Sure, it’s risky, that’s why everyone told you to be careful when you came here. New Yorkers; You have reached the front of the line, hang up your cell phone. Tourists; You have reached the Theatre. TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE. And for everyone; Priority mail is 2-3 days and regular mail is 3-5. You need a white or plain cardboard box with the address clearly written. And unless you want to spend an extra three dollars, bring your own clear packing tape. You’re Welcome.
Buddhist philosophy on why it's ok to complain - Entry 31 
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