Every day diplomacy
Friday, November 9th, 2007
Joel L. Merchant had an experience on a train that led him to post Every day diplomacy.
Many of us have stories like this and it’s important that we tell them. The comment thread is wonderful, especially the exchange between “Frank” and “Jordan Weber-Fink.”
[via Indian Nomad]
Earlier this year, I was at a Target store shooting through a fence that bordered a set of train tracks. I have a project where I shoot things through fences. A couple of security guards came out to tell me that you can’t take photos from Target property. They were cool about it and acted like it was not a big deal but they had to tell anyway. I packed up and left.
But ever since then I get nervous when shooting from any public place. I feel like a criminal, nervous that I’m going to get “busted,” even though it’s a simple hobby that gives me great pleasure.
The article sounds like a perfect storm of overreaction and misunderstanding. In so many jobs, even doctors, people are taught the technical skills of their field, yet fail to realize or are never taught how to deal with the human side of the equation. A little emotional intelligence would go a long way!
This story reminds me so much of the story that happen to both of us in the train station in NY. Maybe it was the same conductor…
Andrew: Right, the same rigidity in interpreting rules is used to justify invading countries and waterboarding prisoners. Reminds me of the famous Milgram Experiment (which I took part in… don’t ask).
Mamen: right, I remember that and posted it in my comment in that thread. I was, however, taking pictures OF the train, not FROM the train so it was a bit different. Still, that conductor or engineer or whatever she was (bitch) had the wrong attitude in addressing me. Man, this world is really in bad shape.