Not a single person mentioned US politics.

Not just talking about it and ending up with Trump.

Oh good grief.

I measure my response to other people’s careless behavior against my own values, and the fact that I have a family and shit to lose in the event the first person decides to escalate.

Hell yes I get taken advantage of all the time. And what do I do about it? Usually nothing. I carry great privilege in this life, including race, gender, physical stature, nationality, geography, wealth, among others. I know the advantage I have over others well outweighs any advantage taken over me.

Now that I’ve answered your questions, answer mine: Do you think that in your life you won’t be taken advantage of? Do you think that someone parking over the line is taking advantage of you personally? Do you seek revenge and retribution for every slight against you?

Fuck your politics.

When I notice someone being an asshole because another person was an asshole first, I just see two assholes. From the third person perspective, their motives don’t matter a ton.

Every country goes through this. We’ll come out the other side like everyone else.

We don’t have the kinds of protections that most developed countries have for their workers. We have constitutionally protected free speech but if you’re carrying a political sign on a sidewalk and you stop walking you can be arrested. The arrest can make you lose your job. There’s no unemployment or health care if you lose your job. People have families and kids. There’s no social safety net. People miss two paychecks and they can’t eat. You can lose your house.

The stakes here are much, much, much higher than they are for you.

Your hurt is valid. You got given something you don’t want and now you feel pressured to accept it to appease your partner. It’s in certain ways worse than getting nothing.

Can you explain this? I was always taught to accept the sentiment and just receive the gift. I certainly wouldn’t suggest returning a gift.