It baffles me

Being considered an adult is a tricky thing. Starting in junior high, then high school, and then later in college we are told what will be expected of us when we are an adult. We are told that we will be expected to be professional, respectful, responsible, and even admirable. We are told that all of these qualities will help us survive in the dreaded 'real world' and that we, at that moment, have no idea what that really entails. I have been in the 'real world' for about 2, 2 1/2, years now and am convinced that all of that was a load of melarky. I shouldnt say all of it was garbage, the part about what is expected of us seems to ring true. But the part I cant seem to place my finger on is why all those traits are expected when those are not the qualities you encounter when stepping foot into the 'real world'. I am amazed at the way the so called adults around me pretend they exemplify those 'adult qualities' when their behavior is, quite frankly, childish. And by childish I mean like an ornery five year old as well as a pre-teen who hasnt developed that content-censor.  Its almost as if having the adult status disquises childish behavior, as if such behavior is justified because of a greater knowledge of a situation. Of course these situations, according to 'adults', could never be understood by the tiny mind of a high school or college student. That was sarcasm if you didnt catch it.

I might be rambling so let me back up. I met my husband when I was 12 and knew I wanted to marry him when I was 17. The only older people around me that took that relationship seriously were our parents and youth ministers (a teacher or two are included in this group). Many other older people straight out told us we were too young to know anything. An article was printed up in our school newspaper by a teacher further proclaiming this. I think these types of instances separate the real adults from the so-called-adults. Which by the way my brother and his wife, my sister-in-laws brother and his wife, my best friend and her husband, and many couples before our graduating class found each other at 17 or younger and are living happily ever after. Kiss that so-called-adults.

Ive been a waitress for almost 3 years and have learned more about people than I ever thought possible. I have encountered these real adults and the so-called-adults when they come in to dine at my restaurant. Some of the worst customers I have ever served were dressed in suits on business lunches/dinners. Let me state that not all business people that come in act childish but generally speaking, you can call it when they walk through the door. They snap at you, use condescending tones with phrases like, "Ummm, yyeeeaaaa, you forgot my straw", or "uuummmm ma'am...ma'am, arent you gunna get our food" as if I can make the food cook faster. They answer their cell phone while you're in midsentence answering one of their questions. These are the people that educate us young stupid people that we are to be professional, respectful, responsible, and admirable. And just for future reference, almost all of the servers I work with have a degree, are working on a masters, or are in the middle of the bachelor's degree. We are not stupid because just because we aren't too arrogant to work a job like this. Just letting you know...all of you so-called-adults.

All of this to say, be an adult you so-called-adults. Stop acting like you're professional, respectful, responsible, or admirable just because of your position in life. A position doesn't make you an adult. Age doesn't make you an adult either for that matter.

It all just baffles me.