Self-Entitlement

During my time at UHH I met some very lovely people. Unfortunately, this isn't the blog to talk about them. What really stands out was all the people who had a sense of self-entitlement. It actually got very hard to keep straight. With so many King Shits and only one turd mountain you can imagine the confusion. It was only on the last day that it was made clear to me. You see, UHH was not a union of efforts. It was a collection of individual efforts striving to best one another and make someone else look bad. Plus, not everyone was playing by the same rules. So, it was like the San Andreas fault. Each piece trying to work with the other but really floating on top of another piece.

So, among all these pieces were people who rated high above the rest of us and they let us all know that.

After the Olympic Appendectomy, I returned to UHH a mere 6 hours after release from the hospital. Crazy? Yes I know. (my reasons will follow in another post). As I'm sitting at my winebar (yes, MY winebar) indulging in a cup of cappuccino goodness, a man approaches and starts flipping through one of the wine books we had on the counter.

"Oh my" the man says. "What a fabulous book. My son would absolutely love it. Can I have it?"

Now, I instantly recognize the gentleman as one of the Self-Entitled. I don't know what his actual position is or exactly why he's one of the Self-Entitled but I know him to be the part of the San Andreas fault that floats on top of the others,.

"Unfortunately" I say, "This is our only copy and I'm not authorized to give it away. Do you not live in Italy?"
"Yes" he replies
"Well, this book is widely available in all bookstores and supermarkets. You can easily pick up a copy there"
"I've never seen it" says the man
Now, I'm thinking, do you live under a rock? But I ask "Where do you live?"
"Rome" he replies.
Of course, makes sense, the cradle of western civilization obviously wouldn't have such a book.

Now, realizing that Mr Self-Entitled wanted the book and as Mr Self-Entitled he shall have the book, I knew when the battle was lost. So when he asked what he could possibly do to have the book I just put my cheek forward for a kiss.

He was happy. For about 30 seconds.

As he snatched the book in his greedy little hands, along came someone who didn't play the Self-Entitled game. The only person who could put him in his place. The person who brought the book to UHH in the first place.

"I'm sorry" said the wine book man " but you can't take that book as it's our only copy."
"Don't you know who I am?" said Mr Self-Entitled " I'm the director of UHH."
"Well" said the wine book man "I'm the director of the wine division of UHH and you can't take that book. Give me your address and I will make sure a copy is waiting for you once you arrive home."

SNAP!

Well, Mr Self-Entitled didn't take to kindly to that and left muttering under his breath. I was asked why I didn't stick to my guns and insist about the book. First off, I'm tired. Tired of the game and all these people. Secondly, it's just a book which I knew he was going to take no matter what I said. He's Mr Self-Entitled after all.

The next day, there is still discussion about the incident and the book is still on the counter. After some time I comment that it will be a miracle if the book does not disappear. Nonsense I am told as Mr Self-Entitled has been put in his place.

Within the hour the book is gone. And ever so coincidentally, I see Mr Self-Entitled not too far away. I don't actually believe he took it. I believe he sent one of his lackeys to take it. And the really funny thing is this. The book sells for around $15. It's small, hard-covered and heavy. Why would you want to take something that you can easily buy back home? Plus something that is heavy and just going to add additional weight to your luggage?

I can just see him at the airport with his overweight luggage.
"You're luggage is overweight sir."
"But I'm Mr Self-Entitled."
"Don't care sir, either take something out or go to the counter and pay the excess weight charges."

"And have a nice day."