If You Don’t Like It…

I don't need anyone to tell me how to run my life,
Got along alright so far I don't really think I need to hear your advice.

A few days ago I read this Miss Manners column online. (http://tinyurl.com/3felq6x) I found it funny, because it dealt with knitting. But the more I thought about it the more I realized it’s something that happens every day in many ways.

DEAR MISS MANNERS:

Over the years I have noticed people knitting in public and have had no particular problem with it. However, I am a bit put off by those who knit in church or at an event such as a recital or concert.

Is it acceptable to knit at a church, synagogue or other religious service? And what about a concert or recital? I recently attended a piano and violin recital in a small venue where someone was knitting in the third row. Surely it was evident to the performers. And if such knitting is not appropriate, how should the knitters be approached, or prevented?

GENTLE READER: Please do not -- repeat, not -- make a hostile approach to knitters. Have you not noticed that they are armed with long, pointy sticks?

Of all the multitaskers who could annoy you, Miss Manners would not have guessed that knitters would top the list. There is a centuries-long history of ladies quietly doing needlework while remaining alert to what was going on around them.

But perhaps your complaint is that they are not quiet. If the clicking of needles is what bothers you, you could appeal to the authorities at church or concert hall that as they ban texting, it is only fair to ban activities that create similar noise. And if they don’t already ban texting, you might start by asking that they do before going after those comparatively unobtrusive knitters.

Visit Miss Manners at her Web site,www.missmanners.com, where you can send her your questions.

2011, by Judith Martin

Why do people worry so much about what other people are doing? Is it curiosity or is it boredom? Do they have nothing better to do than to be concerned about others thoughts and/or actions?

Let me clarify that I’m open to suggestion. I really am! If you have an idea you want to share that can help make things better, I’ll listen. I’m even up for constructive criticism. But if I’m told what I should or shouldn’t be doing, that could be an entirely different story. It’s all in the presentation. I’m not sure who died and made them the expert. Oh, yeah, it was nobody. They are self appointed.

In my experience people like this are so lacking in self-confidence they have to project the attention on anything else but their own shortfalls. It’s disgusting. And sadly, the loudest, most obnoxious people seem to get the farthest. And those are the people telling me that what I do is wrong because they don’t think it’s appropriate. Get a life.

Personality seems to be a factor as well. I know whole families of know-it-alls. I also know a lot of people lacking in self-confidence who don’t become know-it-alls, judging everyone around them. I find it particularly funny when two know-it-alls get put together. It’s like one of those old silent movie Keystone Cops chase scenes. Everyone is dancing around, trying to convince people that what they think is the right thing but nobody is getting anywhere. Imagine what could be accomplished if everyone minded their own business and just did what they were supposed to do!

Miss Manner’s message seems clear to me. Stop worrying about what I’m doing. If you don’t like it, and it’s not causing physical harm, look the other way. As for me, I won’t worry about what you think. I read this the other day and it brought things into perspective. “What other people think about you is none of your business”. I don’t care what you think. And next time someone decides to tell me what all is wrong with me and my life and what I’m doing, they should remember, I have a lot of long, pointy sticks!

I've seen 'em come and go tryin' to do it all for show
Got their walkin', talkin', built in' jive
Don't really think they're workin' nine to five

If you don't like it I don't care

Remember Bryce’s scarf I was working on way back in January? Well, I didn’t like it so I put it aside. It was drawing up on the sides and was just not looking right. He’s home for a bit so he’d like it finished to take back with him. I ripped it out and started it again, lengthwise. I only had a short pair of circular needles with me when I started it so it’s crowded on the cord. I never changed when I had the chance so I don’t know how long it is but I hope it’s okay. It seems like I’ve taken more rows out than put in but I’ll finish it before he leaves so he can wear it during the cold weather in Germany, his next stop. Really, I’m glad when one of the kids wants me to make them something!

Lotsa stitches!

Bryce's scarf

Other things I’m trying are some jewelry/beading type things. I’m quickly finding that it’s not really my forte! Everything I do seems to look like an elementary art project. Oh well! Nobody told me I had to try something new! 

First try at 'fixtures'

I've got my mind made up know what I wanna do.
I'll do it anyway I choose…

If you don't like it I don't care.
Hit the road 'cause I just  just  just don't care.