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A Night Of Sin?

It was my last day on the job before my big vacation, so to celebrate I went out with my co-workers for a night of drinking.

Problem: When we arrived at the bar, they promptly bought me a jello shot in a plastic cup! Gross!

But what could I do? I didn't want to be rude, so I drank it despite all my inner protest.

At the end of the night, I did redeem myself, however.

Several of us went out in search of food only to find that McDonald's was the only restaurant open. And you know what? I refused to eat MickyD's on principal in front of my co-workers.

You see, this wouldn't be a big deal, but most of my colleagues don't really know how much of an activist I really am these days. In fact, they don't even know that I've given up plastic (hence why they bought me that stupid jello shot). I guess I haven't told them because I know they'll all make fun of me and think I'm weird. But don't get me wrong. They're actually great people, but when it comes to the environment they're pretty clueless for some reason.

So anyway, letting them in on my absolute detest for McDonald's was a big step indeed.

But will I ever actually get up the courage to tell them I'm off plastic? I'm not sure.
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Anonymous said…
Good for you to stand up for what you believe in. If you can do that it should be easy to tell them that you are plastic free. My mom and dad just found out about me through my brothers and now they are mad that I didn't tell them. So don't hold back, let everyone know what you stand for, don't be afraid.
February 16, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Grant said…
Swearing off plastic is nothing to be ashamed of! While I haven't gone to the extremes that you have, my wife and I have put a lot of effort towards reducing our plastic use. Not only are we not ashamed of it, we tell everyone we know (without being preachy). A few of my wife's coworkers have begun bringing plastic-free (or plastic-less) lunch items and I've had people ask about my glass drinking bottle at work.

Don't be ashamed for caring and taking action. Anyone can stand idly by and be apathetic. It takes a special kind of person to lead the pack and push towards positive change.
February 16, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Green Bean said…
It's so hard to be different than other people - especially in social situations like that. Sometimes plastic is unavoidable and the good news is that you turned McDonalds into an opportunity to teach your co-workers. What a feat it will be if one or two of them think twice before eating McDonalds or factory farmed meat again. Bigger still will be if you flipped a switch in one of their minds - triggered the activist gene - and have them suddenly more aware of the world. The 100 mile journey begins with a single step. Mine began very humbly.
February 17, 2008 at 6:58 AM
just ducky said…
I can definitely commiserate with you. My co-workers are similar. They are fantastic individuals, but they have no desire to think about the environment or understand my concern for the environment. One guy I work with kept throwing his bottles in the trash (when there is a recycling bucket right next to it) so I finally said "Do you want a decent world for your kids to live on or not?" I was smiling when I said it so he wouldn't think I was being a witch but I made sure he saw me retrieve his bottles and put them in the recycling bin.

The few other times I've been asked about things--like why my water bottle is stainless steel and not plastic, I've half-heartedly explained it and kind of gave the feeling like "It's just my weirdness." I too am wondering when I might be able to muster up some courage...oh well, I'll keep trying...

BTW--my sister calls McDonad's "Icky Mickys" which I think is HILARIOUS!
February 17, 2008 at 8:27 AM
Jeanne said…
Thanks for all the kind words and support! Even if the people I work with wouldn't understand what I'm doing, it's nice to know that there are people out there supporting me and doing similar things!
February 18, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Emily DeWan Photography said…
Alternatively, you could leave a comment on a co-worker's blog signed in as LLP, and let them read through every post trying to figure out who you were :)
February 18, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Jeanne said…
Emily gets cheeky again! :)
February 18, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Laura said…
You would be surprised who has an environmental geeky side that they don't talk much about. I sure have been. :)
February 28, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Going Crunchy said…
Ah, the "coming out" can be iffy. How to not sound like a judgemental person while spreading the word. I've found it interesting that when I say I'm going Plastic-Lite because it is horrible for your body and wrecking the environment- - - I've found that folks will point out something that I'm using that is plastic.

Ex: The stamp salesman tried to give me a handful of plastic rulers. I say, "h, no thanks! I've already got one." "But they are free" he said. I replied, kindly, that well....I'm also trying to go plastic free. He promptly pointed out my plastic nametag in that "well, you're wearing a plastic nametag."

Dude, I don't have a choice about that. In Library World we have to wear a nametag, and I've also had it for years.

Little weird events like this happen all the time. It's almost like people want to justify plastic usage by pointing out something that others have that is plastic. Like it is pointless to evade it or something. Shannon
March 2, 2008 at 11:00 AM
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