Sunday, January 31, 2010

Social Security, Bill Gates, and the Disabled – Stockholm at 2 AM

It happened again. I talked to a crazy person. It happens more than I’d care to admit. Two in the morning on the subway home though is a classic time. But this time was different and, as it turned out, rather entertaining. Maybe because an old man was involved, an old man who had obviously had a rough life.

I was discussing work with a buddy of mine. A subject that I try to avoid because I get plenty of work discussion at work. Strangely enough. The man sitting across the aisle from us piped in and began hounding me about my pay. Did the money matter. Did a title matter. Wouldn’t life be better if everyone made the exact same salary. No. No it would not. Apparently that was the wrong answer.

Well wouldn’t life be better if everyone got the exact same retirement. No. Not it would not. Again, the wrong answer. At this point he began questioning me about my parents and their retirement. When I told him they were in the US, he lit up. In that sort of, oooh, now I’ve got you kind of way.

I humored him though. I let him spout his ideals. I usually do. I can handle the opinions, but I struggle with the boldfaced misconceptions. He began telling me that there is no such thing as retirement in the US, that disabled people (I really don’t know what the politically correct term is for disabled. Handicapped? Disabled? Handicapable?) do not receive any help, from anyone, and that I have no right to compare Sweden and the US but he had lived in the US so he could do it. Really, it wasn't until this point that I realized the old man wasn't quite all there.

I was nice though. I was even respectful when he said that handicapped people should be given the same amount of money as Bill Gates. Which made no sense to me at all. But I went with it.

It was a hard argument to follow really. Especially after drinking. But it was amazing to see the old man fishing for anything and everything that might be wrong with the US. Anything and everything that might be seen as controversial. He played the usual cards. Focusing mostly on the health care thing, but also the Social Security thing. It was a tired argument, and one that has been heard before. This man offered nothing new to the conversation. Except for his delivery.

He had slightly crazy eyes. The kind with a flickering flame burning just beneath the surface. As if at one point he really was an intelligent man rather than a babbling fool riding the subway at two in the morning. He kept flicking his tongue over his yellowing teeth with a half smile/half smirk on his face. It was mildly disconcerting. But fascinating. So much so that I nearly missed my stop. But I ripped myself away from the conversation, hastily leaving my buddy (who is Swedish) to discuss the intricacies of Social Security with the old man. It went well.

Welcome to Sweden. And late night conversations.

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13 comments:

  1. Technically, you just used your swedish friend as a "crazy shield".
    I've been there hairy, usually-drunk-people speaking like they are philosophers.
    It seems like every crazy person we foreigners have met in Sweden, usually insults other countries way of living.
    I'm sorry for you having to meet such a creepy old man.

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  2. I'm going to tell my grandfather not to do that again.

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  3. @ anonymous
    hahahaha! you clever kid you!!!

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  4. In case you haven't seen: http://linkopinglivin.blogspot.com/

    The guy moved along to Asia but the old posts might still be interesting.

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  5. Will you marry me?

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  6. lol!! "He had slightly crazy eyes." I'm proud of you for humoring your elders (and looney ones at that).

    I guess I could go on about the socialism-versus-capitalism argument. But then, I too might risk sounding like that crazy dude on the subway, so never mind.

    Cheers from the evil empire (USA), S.

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  7. Different location, same thinking..same old European argument. That "Evil USA". Where independent thought and drive should be outlawed. And let's make sure we ignore all the good things...oh like technology, medicine, self-drive, self-responsibility..yes, definitely, all that should be outlawed.

    Skål the coming United Socialistic Association ...ahhhh I meant USA...

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  8. Man I love a good conversation with a crazy person every now and then. Keeps you on your toes, keeps your mind open. If you really know what you're doing you can steer the convo a little and end up really having quite a bit of fun...

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  9. @Lost – he wasn’t so much creepy as just crazy. But I have no shame in using my friend as a crazy shield. Id probably do it again actually.

    @anonymous – crazy old man wandering the streets again…

    @abby – agreed.

    @Lost – also agreed

    @Emma – good work on the tip.

    @Linus – just saying hello.

    @anonymous – maybe.

    @anonymous – well they weren’t totally crazy, just slightly crazy. Its an important difference.

    @anonymous – just as long as we all get paid the same amount.

    @m8 – I have steered conversations before, unfortunately, I may have had a drink or two in me. I was in position to steer anything.

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  10. Crazy conversations with diehard commies are almost as bad as with diehard christians.

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