I was going to do a piece on July 4th and how fireworks, thrilling as they may be, also disturb nesting birds, domestic pets and many young children, including myself when I was a wee one. And then I heard this on Time Blindness, and my mind exploded: 

Person #1: They actually started yelling at me and saying that accommodations for Time Blindness doesn’t exist and if you struggle with being on time, you’ll never be able to get a job.

Person #2: Sounds like a problem that definitely needs to be remedied. Is Time Blindness a condition where you don’t show up on time for stuff?

Person #1: (ignoring the question) So I just got yelled at for asking a very reasonable question. So I’m applying to go somewhere and I just wanted to know are there accommodations for people who struggle with Time Blindness and being on time, you know. And then the person I was with interrupted and acted like I was asking something else and then when we were done, they actually started yelling at me and saying that accommodations for Time Blindness doesn’t exist and if you struggle with being on time, you’ll never be able to get a job.

Person #2: That’s fact-check true. Not many employers want to hire people that will consistently not be on time for their job. But if it’s a condition where you can’t exercise your free will, well maybe they’ll accommodate you.

Person #1: Yeah, you know, provided you’re trying your absolute best to be there.

Person #2: When you can’t be on time consistently, are you really doing your best? Or maybe it’s your current best, but not up to your potential? You know, sometimes your best isn’t good enough, and so you have to do better.

Person #1: (ignoring the statement) And then they’re like your stupid generation wants to destroy the workplace, and yeah, I think that a culture where workers are just cut off because they struggle with being on time…

Person #2: (interrupts) Do you mean a culture where workers need to be accountable?

Person #1: (ignores again)…when there’s other solutions that we can look to

Person #2: Other solutions that we can look to? 

Person #1: Just anybody who thinks it’s okay to just treat people like that? Yeah, that culture needs to be dismantled.

Person #2: Yes! That culture needs to be dismantled. That’s a great solution! A culture of personal accountability, in my opinion, is a great culture that I want to be a part of. But, of course, you’re seeing problems where there are actually good things happening. I love how you look at a problem and think the solution is to dismantle it. There’s problems with almost everything. It’s like a football team saying, “This year our offensive line isn’t very good. We should just dismantle it. We’ll play games with no offensive line. That’s the solution.” How about we just use our minds to come up with better solutions instead of just destruction?

Person #1: Do you, like, feel good about yourself upholding this kind of system and then to think I’m entitled? No. If people think it’s okay to treat others like this, that’s entitlement. 

Person #2: Actually, for someone to believe I can just be late and you should accommodate me. That might be a great working example of entitlement. It might be, actually, the best example of entitlement.

Happy Fourth of July: Remember, when it comes to fireworks, Federal law requires a minimum of 330 feet from any eagle’s nest, including individual eagles perched in trees or standing on the ground.

RAMONA JAN is the Founder and Director of Yarnslingers, a storytelling group that tells tales both fantastic and true. She is also the roving historian for Callicoon, NY and is often seen giving tours around town. You can email her at callicoonwalkingtours@gmail.com.