Why Do People Say Stupid Things?
I know, I know, we
all say stupid things from time to time.
I already wrote a piece about "IY"H by you"s, but for those who didn't see it, to sum it up, I said it's okay coming from some people, but hurtful and condescending from others.
At my nephew's Bris a few weeks ago, a well-wisher said with a wink, "May this little boy bring a big boy." Groan.
I was a little thrown off, and took a minute to process her backhanded, cheesy-as-all-hell comment. "Say Amen!" she prodded, adding, "that was a Bracha."
In this case, perhaps an IY"H by you would have been better.
Um, it's called subtlety. Look it up, lady.
IMAX Is A Movie, Too
Some of my friends decided to give up movies upon returning from Seminary in Israel. I don't have a problem with that. I, however, having gone to Seminary in America, have nothing against seeing the occasional movie.
Enter the newest Harry Potter installment. My friend, who feels the same way I do about movies, told me how she plans to take her little sister to the IMAX theater to see Harry Potter. "I have no problem going to the movies, but Shprintzi, our mutual friend, (not her real name) says she won't go to the movies anymore, and she wants to come with us, so she said she'll only go to an iMax theater." My friend is no fool. She continued, "Which, honestly, I don't get because it's the
same thing as going to the movies." "THANK YOU!" I shouted into the phone.
Whom does this "Shprintzi" think she's fooling?! A movie is a movie is a movie. The general argument against movie theaters is the atmosphere. It's the same darn atmosphere. It's the same content. Maybe a different location, but it's a movie. This kid has no problem renting countless movies from Blockbuster, which are not as clean as Harry Potter. In fact, she's seen more movies this year than I've seen in the last 6.
Don't get me wrong; I respect those who can sincerely give up movies for the right reasons, and actually adhere to it. But when you claim that going to the movies isn't something frum people should do, but then insist on seeing Harry Potter in the IMAX, you're an idiotic hypocrite.
Maybe this just means I have no pride, but I feel like if I was in Shprintzi's position, I'd just say, "I know I wanted to give up movies, but I just can't resist Harry Potter. I really just want to see it in theaters." That's it.
Shprinzti, you're not fooling me. You're not fooling your friend. You
certainly aren't fooling G-d. You're fooling yourself.
