This, that and the other thing

There’s so much going on in the world right now that sometimes it’s a challenge to keep it all straight in one’s head, let alone trying to settle on a single topic to write about. When that jumble happens, I sometimes like to lump a few topics together and deal with them in bitesize pieces, so this week, let’s talk about:

THIS: We should all play nice

Maybe it’s just me but do people seem to be on edge these days?

I get it that people are upset, frustrated and even angry about the current state of affairs in the world. We are in the midst of a deadly pandemic that’s shut everything down for more than a year, causing problems for all of us. We’ve all had to make major adjustments in our lives and it’s been tough.

As a result, we are confused and upset. And many people are struggling to hang onto their sense of reality, but unloading that angst onto others is no way to cope with your anger.

These are, without argument, very tough times, but that doesn’t give you the right to blow up at other people. We’re all on edge and we are all facing the same challenges, so it really does not bode well for anyone when you direct that anger at your friends and neighbours or family.

Seriously, the anger is sometimes so thick and real that it’s almost palpable. It clings in the air like a dense smoke billowing from an out of control forest fire. If you want proof of that anger, then look no further than social media platforms. The vitriol and venom that’s often spewed there in that digital world is oppressive and depressing, with people jumping on others for sometimes even the most innocent comment.

You have a right to express your opinion on any given topic but you do not have the right to ridicule and insult someone else for an opposing viewpoint. You do not have the right to make disparaging comments about others just because you disagree or don’t like something you’ve read there. You do not have the right to attack another’s character or beliefs just because those beliefs differ from your own.

As my friend is fond of saying, people just need to calm down, take a deep breath and get over themselves.

I think a sign I recently read posted in the lobby of the local post office says it all — it’s nice to be nice. That is sage advice, indeed. And it’s advice we should all follow so let’s play nice.

THAT: Discarded facial masks

I enjoy taking daily walks and I know that I am very lucky that from where I live, I have access to a series of recreational trails developed and maintained by my municipal government, the Region of Queens.

Some of these trails wind and twist through picturesque locations of tall pine trees and natural habitat along the Mersey River. It really is a paradise and we are most fortunate, indeed, that these facilities are available to us. However, we are not so fortunate that that beauty is sometimes shattered by the presence of discarded facial masks.

And sadly, this new form of litter is emerging as a serious plight on the pristine landscape because for some reason, people seem to think that it’s okay to just toss their used masks to the ground when they no longer need them.

I’ve seen it often during my walks and frankly, I just don’t get it. Are people just too lazy to carry them home or are they just to ignorant and really don’t give a crap?

Okay, I understand if you no longer need the mask or that you’re angry that you are required to wear masks in public buildings, but can’t you just hang onto it until you get home to throw it in the garbage or until you find one of the trash cans that are often strategically placed throughout the town? Just stick it in your pocket until you can properly dispose of it.

What kind of statement are you really making by adding masks to the ongoing litter problem? That you are against mandatory face masks or that you just don’t care about the damage that you’re causing to the local environment or that you don’t care that it’s destroying the natural beauty around you?

Come on people, do your part. Wear your mask when required and stop with the littering.

THE OTHER THING: A cashless society.

Yes, you heard that right. How would you like to go cashless?

According to the results of a recent study undertaken by money.co.uk, out of all the countries in the world, Canada is the most likely the first one to go cashless because we use it the least.

Don’t misunderstand these findings. It’s not that Canadians aren’t spending money, because we spend lots of it.

It’s just that whenever we make a purchase, many Canadians are more likely to use cards instead of cold, hard cash.

Those who carried out the research ranked countries based on “contactless payment limits, the number of major ewallet operators, the number of ATMS per 100,000 adults and the percentage of the population with a debit and/ or credit card.”

Once the researchers applied their criteria, they determined that if there were one country that would be the first to get rid of cash, it would most likely be us here in Canada.

Personally speaking, I wouldn’t have a problem with that but I know a good number of people who still use cash for everything they purchase and I know there are some who refuse to use a debit card out of security and privacy fears. However, it appears there may come a time when we’ll have no other choice but switch over.

Let’s understand this. The change is not going to happen tomorrow, next week or even next year, but there’s no doubt that it will happen at some point in the future, and probably a lot sooner than some would like to admit or may want to accept.

It’s clear the world is moving very fast these days, but when it comes to this, that and the other thing, sometimes it’s best to deal with them one at a time, and that’s the view from here.

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Vernon Oickle, the author of 32 books, writes The View From Here column, which appears weekly in the South Shore Breaker.