A long, long time ago...

A long, long, time ago, when I was just a little girl,people in polite society played by certain rules. Children used courtesy titles to address their friends' parents -- or any adults for that matter. The use of the words "please" and "thank you" in every day conversation was commonplace. Most importantly, no one discussed "sensitive subjects" such as religion or politics outside of intimate circles. Ever.
Of course, that was long before the advent of the Internet and the instant-information age. Back then, no one could imagine a time when people would be able to use a gadget called a computer to say whatever they wish without any consequences.
Yet all these years later, some things remain the same -- at least as far as I'm concerned. I seldom discuss religion or politics publicly. When I do, I choose my words very carefully. My opinion remains my own.
So imagine my trepidation when the conversation turned to politics during the opening reception for my photo exhibit "Unique New York: 50 Photos of New York City" at our local library. The person who initiated the discussion had no qualms about sharing her opinion. I had no qualms about ending the discussion before it turned ugly.
I refused to engage in the conversation (if it could be called that) because it wasn't the time or the place. I refused to engage in the conversation because I didn't know the woman who initiated it. I refused to engage in the conversation because a constructive dialogue with that particular person would have been impossible under any circumstances.
You see, she was so consumed with her own beliefs, so utterly convinced that she is right and the rest of the world is wrong, that she resorted to name-calling when confronted with a different opinion.
Sadly, her behavior is hardly unusual. If any thing it is far too common.
Until next time, "That's life..."