for May 12 & 19, 2004 May 12 Dear Annie,
One of the coolest things about where I work is that on your birthday you get the day off, paid. It's a tiny hamburger joint, so there's no such thing as benefits or anything, just paychecks and free food. Well, we got this new employee and he's such a jerk, he actually told the owner his religion doesn't believe in celebrating birthdays and that he takes offense at the paid birthday program. He says it's not politically correct. Now the boss is having second thoughts about the whole thing. I wish jerk-boy would just disappear.
Third Year Waitress,
Centralia, WADear Waitress,
We've gone too far with that political stuff. What about just plain old loving kindness? What about thinking of the group before putting your own agenda forward? The boy you're upset with is probably not mature enough yet to think of the good of the group before himself, but it's really too bad. It'll be even more sad if the owner does away with birthday pay. She or he could certainly call it special day pay and let each employee designate their own special day. What you need to do, though, is try to mind your own business about this. It will be difficult, but you know to refrain from retaliating against this boy in any way. Don't treat him poorly because you're mad. Let the boss handle it and then abide by his or her decision. Let this be a lesson in tolerance to you. Someday a situation will arise in which you could push your plans or needs or keep quiet and keep the peace. When this happens, I hope you'll remember "jerk-boy" and leave things alone if there's really no harm being done. Please write back and let us know what happens!
AnnieMay 19
Dear Annie,I take it you're a Christian, and the Shopper's obviously owned by a religious family. I like that. Some weeks, if I don't make it to church, the weekly Bible readings in the Shopper are my message. The thing is, I don't understand what God's thinking. If I had the power He does, I wouldn' t let people do bad things to each other. Especially those crimes against the kids and old people. Why does He let that go on? And cancer. The nicest people suffer and die of cancer. Why? I only say hi to the preacher on my way out of church, I never talk to him, but even if I did, I'd never tell him I question God so much. Do you?
Confessor, No Town Please
Dear Confessor,
I feel so inadequate to answer, that I wish you would ask your preacher these questions. I am a Christian, and the Shopper is owned by another Christian. While we believe, that doesn't mean we have divine understanding. I think a pastor, who has been called to help the rest of us on our walk with Jesus, would be better suited to answer. Maybe one will write when he or she reads our exchange. I do know none of us gets through life without bad things happening to ourselves and those we love, but when these times are upon us, those of us who are used to talking to God and Jesus through prayer automatically call for their help. I'd hate to struggle through this life alone, and thank God I don't have to. I hope you read your Bible and ask your questions and keep believing. When you hear of those crimes and illnesses, pray for the victims. That is one positive thing we Christians can always do.
Annie
Please write to: Annie, P.O. Box 1084, Eatonville,WA 98328
E-mail: letters_annie@hotmail.com
Past Ask Annies:
May 5, 2004 Strife While Building a House
Apr. 28, 2004 Blessings in a Physically Challenged Child Hunting Easter Eggs
Apr. 21, 2004 Pushy people who keep telling us, "You should..."
Apr. 14, 2004 Abusive Dad, Discourteous Telephoning
Apr. 7, 2004 Guilty About Inadequately Reciprocating to Wonderful Giving Friend
Mar. 31, 2004 Kids Selling Cookies
Mar. 24, 2004 Big Girl Wants to Avoid Brother's Fancy Wedding
Mar. 17, 2004 New Manager Getting Gifts from Subordinate?
Mar. 10, 2004 Loaned Money to Roommate
Mar. 3, 2004 Complaining about Boring Older Peoples' Talk
Feb. 25, 2004 Give Kid's Items to Food Bank
Jan. 28, 2004 Bad Phone Manners
Jan. 21, 2004 Avoid Church Because of Flu?
Jan. 14, 2004 Boyfriend Breakup But Gift, Also Relative Tells Private Life
Dec. 24, 2003 Memories of Good Parents
Dec. 17, 2003 Christmas Gift for Wife?
Dec. 10, 2003 Thanks to Food Bank Helpers
Dec. 3, 2003 Child's Names on Belongings & Appreciating Family at Holidays
Nov. 26, 2003 Big Family Thanksgiving with Paper Plates
Nov. 12, 2003 Husband Driven Nuts To Do Crafts By Wife
Nov. 5, 2003 Dreading Husband's Retirement
Oct. 29, 2003 Move back home from boyfriend's house?
Oct. 22, 2003 Did I raise my daughter to do these things?
Oct. 15, 2003 Misunderstanding about School Workers' Kindness
Oct. 8, 2003 Prayer for Brown Sisters Killed and Change Schoolyear to Oct.1 to June 30
Oct. 1, 2003 Response About Non-tipping Lotto Winner
Sept. 24, 2003 Church-goers Inattentive
Sept. 17, 2003 Friend Sells My Stuff on Ebay
Sept. 10, 2003 Lottery Winner Didn't Tip Clerk
Sept. 3, 2003 Business Insults to Consumers
Aug. 27, 2003 Divison of Wedding Expense
Aug. 20, 2003 School Workers' Kindness & Men's Attractiveness
Aug. 13, 2003 Attractiveness Hints
Aug. 6, 2003 Annie's Husband's Accident at Work
July 30, 2003 Deer Automatic Sprinkler Best & Stores Don't Stock Washington Clothes
July 23, 2003 Scarecrows and Halloween Decorations Scare Off Prowlers Too
July 16, 2003 Redhead Asks Attractiveness Advice
July 2, 2002 Atomatic Deer Scarecrow Blasts Prowler