Deadbeat Status

I have a lot of traits I would not brag about.  I'm a total pig and pretty much only clean my house when I have people coming over. I run around like a psycho hiding clutter and filth so no one will know how I normally live.  I won't even touch on the on-going health hazard in my car.  I judge people relentlessly.  Mostly (but not limited to) people I don't know.  I see an XXL person wolfing down a case of donuts, I'm honestly repulsed.  I notice if you haven't brushed your teeth today.  I catch that tiny speech impediment you have, then I probably use it while impersonating you. I'm not proud of these traits.  What I am proud of is that I'm the kind of person that does what I say I'm going to do.  That being said and the fact that I also have a job means that I do not qualify for deadbeat status.  Wondering if you're a true deadbeat?

A DEADBEAT is a person who:

-Evades their basic responsibilities

-Says they will do something, but then they just don't with little or no explanation

-Doesn't have a legitimate job and has likely collected EI at some point

-RSVP's yes to a party but doesn't show

-Doesn't have a license

-Owes you money, but hopes you will forget

-Doesn't reply to texts

If you can personally relate to any of those points, you're probably a deadbeat.  I don't know when the switch was flipped for me but it seems like recently my tolerance for people like this has just ran out.  I see no reason to say you're going to do something, then not do it.  If you're not planning to follow through then be an adult and say that from the start.  Even stating you may not be able to follow through from the beginning is more respectable than blatantly lying to others and probably yourself about your actual intent.

This may seem insignificant to someone who has never planned any sort of party or event but I can't think of anything that has higher deadbeat status than a last minute bail.  Worse than that, a bail out without so much as a lame excuse via text message.  There are obviously situations where you can legitimately pull a no-show without actual offensive being taken or hearts being broken.  If someone is having a raging party, it's likely no one’s going to notice if you decide to skip it.  If you say you’re going to attend at an event where you know it's going to be a small crowd or even if food is being served it is in no way appropriate to just not show up without some form of notice.  To me these principles apply also to a facebook event.  I don't respond yes unless I have planned to attend.  It's not like there isn't a maybe option!  Bottom line, you've got to know that a lot goes into planning most events.  Think twice being a deadbeat douche bag and start thinking about someone other than yourself.

Whether it's an email, text message or voicemail (god forbid!) I feel obligated to reply.  No one expects a reply within the hour but a reply at some point is always appreciated.  If you can't take 2 minutes to reply to someone’s question you're probably a deadbeat.  Or maybe you just don't like the person enough to message them back, which on some level is the only legit excuse. But common, it's not that hard.  Replying to messages will make you that much less of a deadbeat, give it a try.

Now I know this might be a harsh reality for some but if you don't have year round employment, you are a deadbeat.  To me EI (unemployment insurance) is for people who need it to survive.  Most of us pay into it in hopes that we won't ever need to rely on it.  For some able bodied workers that just not the case.  They would prefer to sit on their asses collecting $700 cheques every 2 weeks for before seeking out employment.  I mean I can appreciate that these people have actually had to go online twice a month to claim they are still unemployed and actively looking for work.  They likely have to borrow a friends computer to do this truly grueling task.  What can I say, they work hard for their money.  

What this all comes down to is that true deadbeats are self absorbed, lazy slackers.  To all the deadbeats out there please comprehend that it's important to take time out from worrying about yourself and realize you’re not the only person on the planet.  Next time you say you're going to do something, actually do it.  Understand that other peoples time is in fact as valuable as yours.  Recognize that your world may revolve around you but everyone else's doesn't!

...Now if this blog entry left you feeling a bit sour I suggest you loosen up by purchasing a bottle of Thornhaven's Tortured Grape.  This delicious Okanagan white wine will undoubtedly lift your spirits.  Slightly above the deadbeat price point at about $20 per bottle.  This is guaranteed to make you feel like less of a deadbeat loser, even if it is just for one night!