>Hmmm, had it been at my school (admittedly it was a Waldorf school),
>the teachers would have made the lipstick girls clean the mirrors
>themselves. Nothing teaches you respect for something like having to
>contribute your OWN elbow grease. Anita
>
>> >>>
>> >>According to a radio report, a middle school in Oregon was faced
>> >>with a unique problem. A number of girls were beginning to use lipstick
>> >and
>> >>would put it on in the bathroom. That was fine, but after they put on
>> >their
>> >>lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of
>> >little
>> >>lip prints.
>> >
>> >Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.
>> >>
>> >She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the
>> >>maintenance man.
>> >>
>> >>She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem
>> >for
>> >>the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night.
>> >
>> >To demonstrate how difficult it was to clean the mirrors, she asked the
>> >maintenance guy to
>> >>clean one of the mirrors.
>> >>
>> >>He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it into the toilet and then
>> >>cleaned the mirror.
>> >
>> >Since then there have been no lip prints on the mirror.
>> >
>> >There are teachers---and then there are TEACHERS!!!
>> >
Dear Anita and List Readers,
I have no doubt that at most Waldorf schools that Germanic disciplinary
ethic you describe would have prevailed. However, I don't doubt that some
further lip prints would have been considered, committed in the privacy of
an empty bathroom like the other grafitti on the walls. This principal may
have been thinking of such when she came up with a method that ensured no
further lip prints.
I am reminded of someone telling me the other day about a television
presentation that, by way of hidden cameras, documented some of the gross
and awful things food workers do to food when they are sure no one is
looking. Yes, as you might guess, contamination with mucous, serum, excreta
and sexual fluids. Really gross and dangerous stuff, done at various levels
of concealed hatred, resentment and revenge.
Quite frequently I mention to folks that when I'm on the road I like to eat
at a Waffle House or some such equivalent (not available on the West Coast)
because I can see them preparing my food. Not one in ten folks evince any
real understanding of what I might be talking about, but it isn't just that
I can see my food escapes microwaving.
I've been involved in food handling for over 25 years and I suspect I'm not
particularly naive about people and their various possible behaviors. I'm
not so eager to eat somewhere that the food workers can smear my cinnamon
toast with feces or blood or expectorate/ejaculate in my salad dressing.
Believe me I DO understand how disgusting this is. But, pray, let me not
shrink from exposing it. It is just this kind of awareness I believe should
be part and parcel of this and other lists. The fact is that a very low,
sleazy vibe prevails out there in America and it is getting lower all the
time. It is a covertly hostile vibe, and is particularly prevalent amongst
employees of the government, but something similar goes for wage slaves in
general. Covert. Hostility. It is something to think about. Most people
eating out--and people eat out in droves, particularly in chain restaurants
and fast food dives in America--have very little idea of what they may be
eating. Ever wonder why you had an off flavor in something you just ate?
Well, did you see it being prepared? Think about it. The same goes for
processed foods.
I suppose I may provoke another round of censure for my occasionally not
too genteel posts. So? Despite my highly refined sophistication I deal
daily without shrinking with really gutsy stuff. For some people out of
sight probably IS out of mind. But for me? Hardly. Violet IS one of my
favorite colors, but there also is a lot of brown and black in biodynamic
practice. I think it is something we all have to learn to deal with. So
wipe the tops of your pop-top cans clean before opening and hope you got a
batch that wasn't contaminated on the interior.
And consider--the above is good reason, as if chemical agriculture wasn't
enough, to grow your own gardens or participate in a CSA and learn
sufficient culinary skills to prepare your foods and beverages at home. It
is your assurance of quality. I don't know if you have any real assurance
otherwise.
Best wishes,
Hugh Lovel
Blairsville, Georgia
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