The Cost of Sharing

Picture this, you are sitting at your favorite bookstore, perusing the selection. You notice a title that interests you and pull it off of the shelf and settle into the first chapter. You are engrossed in the book and almost to chapter four when a super nice older woman notices you. "Hey that book looks interesting," she says "I think it's my turn to read it". Taken aback, you tell her, "I'm sorry, I had it first, there are plenty of other books to look at”. At this point, a store employee notices the conundrum and comes over. He looks at you with disappointment in his eyes and says "that isn't very kind. You need to share it with this nice lady. She would like a turn". At this point you are flabbergasted that someone would expect you to give up a book that you had found first and you start to get upset. Much to your shock, your defensive responses gain even more disappointment from the store employee and he takes the book from you to hand to the older lady. At this point, you are downright mad but trying to stay calm, you try to explain to both of them that you are not finished and that she can have the book when, and if, you are finished with it. The store employee is more than upset and can't believe your poor manners. He asks you to leave the store and not return until you can be kind. Meanwhile the older lady has taken the book, and is settled in a chair, happily reading. Maybe she'll like the book, maybe she won’t. You leave the store feeling very misunderstood, upset, and invalidated.

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