The Law of the Garbage Truck

This particular "law" has been making the rounds on the internet for sometime now and it's interesting that I got to read it again yesterday after finding a seemingly nasty comment on my email inbox.

The nasty reaction was on a comment I made after viewing a Filipino folk dance on Youtube. This was about a month ago. My comment on Youtube was a little more of an observation.

The dancers were performing the dance with a modern military beat and had ultra modern stylized choreography with the props. But because the their music was modern too (taken from a recent MTV pop tune), they had to conform to the stiff movements demanded by the music.

And that was what the comment was about. I noted that if they had to do the stiff movements, then they could've worn the attire similarly used in the MTV which is military costumes - so that everything matched.

Well, somebody reacted with bonus swear words. Seems like everybody else was posting high praises for this particular dance group that it was insane for this somebody that there was a dissenting opinion (hmmm, that somebody may have been one of the dancers).


Negativity All Around

This is something that I notice on many internet media where people post in different fora, Youtube and others like it. Now, I'm all for free speech.

But why the heck do cuss words always have to be thrown in? Yeah, maybe it's their way of expression or it's "in their culture". Personally, I just think it's silly, juvenile and stupid.

And maybe the Law of the Garbage Truck explains the reason behind this show of aggression.

How did I react? After being reminded of "the law", I just let it be. I already put my honest opinion in my comment and that was it. I didn't want to get riled over this poster and try to think of a smart answer to react to the nasty comment.

It was just too much hassle for me to login Youtube and do all that. And for what? This guy may just be a flame-baiter and get the thread going for who knows when.


The Garbage Truck Law by David J. Pollay

This story was supposedly written by David J. Pollay and may have appeared in different versions. I'm writing it below as I've read it.

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And, I mean, he was really friendly.... So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.

As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.

Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so... Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is: Ten percent what you make it, and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a blessed, garbage-free day.


Joketime:
I was reviewing Renz for his 3rd grade Second Quarter exam. The topic was about Philippine trees used for lumber (ex. Narra, Molave, Lauan, Tangile)

Me: So, Renz, give me 3 names of plants or trees that may used for lumber?
Renz: Hmmm... Narra...
Me: Good!
Renz: Acacia...
Me: Okay!
Renz: Hmmm... (scratches head)
Me: (giving a clue, for Molave) Starts with an "M"!
Renz: Hmmm...
Me: (giving more clues) Mo...
Renz: Mo... Monggo!