Standover Merchants

This exercise brought back memories of school, and that pit bull sure looks menacing on the blog photo at Mad Hatters. No doubt the days at school present a picture of this kind of presence, a standover merchant, someone who was "all up front". There were kids like that, teasing and belittling others, for reasons unknown to many. Everyone knew who they were. We all liked a trick and a joke amongst our friends, but we never belittled anyone or made them feel less. There was a senior who liked to inspect the junior's lunches, for goodness knows what reason:-). She would stalk up to you at lunchtime in the yard and tower over you, and insist you show her what was in your sandwiches. Most of us just went along with her and told her, rolling our eyes after she got her answer. Sometimes she would take the sandwiches off some kids, and eat them herself. This all sounds very strange, but true. It wasn't until much later that we found out she was from a troubled home, and no doubt did this to gain back a sense of power. Our school was benevolent so there were a few troubled kids in the girl's school. Years later I saw work colleagues who did similar things in various ways. Perhaps, like pit bulls, who are trained only to fear and attack, some kids were told at home that the world was full of fear? But is it really? Does thinking make it so? I feel sorry for young kids, who become disturbed by these unfriendly tactics, and get confused about the world, because of these early experiences. Nowadays, fortunately, there are strategies in place to pinpoint these problems before they get out of hand. Modern psychology may well have some new answers. Seems peculiar to humans too, as trees happily share each other's space*, share nutrients and the benefits of the sun, rain and even wind. They know that if they "band" together and "get along", it's just better. Also, they "know" there is enough for everyone, and perhaps this is the difference?

*info from David Suzuki/Wayne Grady Book "Tree", which outlines how trees co-operate, link roots, and share nutrients.