The inconsiderate Amazon order
To be honest, I pride myself on being considerate of others. In groups, I try to make sure everyone’s included in a conversation. I pick up after myself as a guest. I generally do a good job of looking out for others’ feelings in my actions.
Except in one glaring area that recently came to my attention. When these ‘people’ are out of sight, I become an inconsiderate bastard. This came to my attention when reading an article about Covid-19 and Amazon. How preparing a shipment involved 7 people, how their conditions and pay are far from ideal, how fulfilling non-essential orders are putting these workers’ lives at risk.
Inconsiderate means lacking thought for others, and boy, did my recent order meet the definition. I had come across an article about the benefits of coloring, and decided during this pandemic I wanted to try it. My thoughts:
This isn’t essential. I don’t want to put anyone in my family at risk by going out to get such a trivial item.
Oh, I know.
I’ll place an order on Amazon for an adult coloring book and coloring pencils! Problem solved!
I moved on with my life without another thought until I read that article and realized what an idiot I was. Sure, I had avoided bringing unnecessary exposure to my own family in my quest for a trivial item. But what about others? What about the people that had to work to get my package prepared and delivered?
I wish I could say this was ‘out of sight, out of mind’. But that’s too generous. I’ve realized I’m inconsiderate to people I don’t see. I’m often the guy in the movie theater that doesn’t pick up my wrappers. I leave trash in my airplane seat pocket. Which makes me wonder - am I considerate? Or do I only care that other people think I’m considerate?
Who knows? But it ends now. I’m exposing my missteps and acknowledging fault.
No more stupid Amazon orders during a global pandemic. No more leaving messes behind for others to clean up. It’s time to start demonstrating consideration. And in case my morality is only driven by others’ perceptions, I’m making sure it’s written down for you to know how considerate I’m going to be!