What I could easily live without... (Room 101)

Member Name: chrispitts

Product:	Room 101
Date:	22/07/02 (66 review reads)
Rating:

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So, what would I confine to the dustbin of unnecessary, undesirable and wholly inappropriate? What would I prefer to see the back of? What, in my humble opinion, constitutes the Weakest Links in my life?

Here goes...

1. Oversized packaging.

Prime culprit: Many computer games/software.

Until recently, all computer games came in huge cardboard boxes. Thankfully, manufacturers are now producing more in "DVD"-style packaging. But you still find a lot of over-packaged CDs. Only last week, I bought a games compilation. 4 CDs in a double-thick CD case. No manuals (they were on the CD), no installation leaflets, and the back of the box was entirely duplicated on the back of the CD case. So what was the reason for the vast amount of cardboard used in the packaging? Simple. It's bigger, so it catches your eye quicker. Hey, here's an answer. Put up a poster. You don't get bigger than that, and it means I don't clog up my dustbin with unwanted boxes. Get rid.

2. Over-enthusiastic "Alternative Health" fanatics.

OK, this might be a bit controversial with some, but as a doctor, I get sick and tired of those "healthy living" types who insist all medicine is the Devil's work and will poison you, and that the best cure for cancer is oil of willow, or whatever. Don't get me wrong, many alternative products are known to help certain conditions. Homeotherapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy are all medically proven in certain circumstances to ease a wide range of conditions from depression to arthritis. But what I object to is the refusal to accept antibiotics for a nasty chest infection on the grounds that antibiotics are bad for you. Or the refusal to accept vaccination because "nature should take care of itself". To me, that view is just plain ignorant. I am willing to accept the possibility that some alternative therapies are beneficial. But do us the favour of acceptin
g that sometimes, medicine helps too.

3. Hogging the Middle Lane

I'm not a particularly fast driver. I'm not a particularly aggressive driver. But one thing drives me mad. People sitting in the middle lane of a motorway when there's no-one on the inside lane. Why? Can you only indicate right? What happens when you want to come off at a junction? Do you move in then? I honestly cannot understand people's reasoning behind sitting in one lane, particularly when traffic starts to backlog. And then some bright spark undertakes, which is both dangerous and illegal... if you can't use your passenger side mirror and move in again, stay in the inside lane. Please.

4. "Been there, done that better."

We all know someone like this. You're telling a story, when they interrupt. "Oh, I've done that. I've been there. Did you see so and so? I did." Or you're talking about your job... "Do you know so and so? He's the top man in the country. Best friend of ours as it happens. I'll put in a good word for you."
How do they know so many people? How have they been to so many places? And done so much? Could it be, perhaps, that they are exaggerating? Or even making it up? (Heaven forbid). My honest opinion is that their lives are so dull, they have to make up for it by creating excitement. Get a life.

5. Keeping up with the Joneses.

I could go on for hours about this one. Upper middle class snobbery. Don't get me wrong. I'm upper middle class myself. But I'm sick and tired of the "I'm into art", "Did you see that new play last week?", "I only watch historical dramas at the cinema"-type snobbery that I hear day in day out. Only last week, a colleague asked "Which wines do you drink?" I replied that I prefer a can of Carling.
In my profession, snobbery is endemic, and particularly dangerous. As part
of our education, we often share interesting cases, or make up scenarios. Mention a 16 year old single mum, and the reactions would be amusing, if they weren't so tragically middle class in their attitudes. "She must be a smoker", "She can't have any support at home", "She wants a bigger council house", "She probably takes drugs", "The kid will end up being abused"... yes, really. One big danger of any public service job is putting our own beliefs and moral/ethics systems onto other people/clients/patients. But by the way many of my colleagues talk, that is exactly what they are doing.
Sure, some of the more "lower class" patients can't string a sentence together. But they are a lot more genuine. And it's the upper classes that swear, and claim to enjoy films like "American Pie" and "South Park". Not the middle classes. Oh no, they're much too reserved for that.

6. Reality TV Gameshows.

Has anyone seen "The Running Man", or read the book? It's all about a game show, featuring criminals, who run around, ultimately getting killed by the hunters. And, science fiction seems to be heading closer to the truth. If you think of all the "Reality Shows" we have seen recently - most notably Big Brother, Survivor, Lads Army... all involve watching the contestants take part in the most gruelling tasks, often reducing them to tears. Each season, the sadism seems to worsen, and I believe it won't be long before there is a serious injury or even death, live on air. But hey, doesn't it make great viewing? Watching people reach the end of their tethers. Watching their confidence being shattered, their self-worth being dashed to shreds. Great! We want more. No, actually, I, for one, don't. At all.

I can't think of any more for now, but thanks for letting me have a rant, and I hope you at least agreed with one or tw
o!!

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