[NSFE] What "convenience" did you take for granted until it was unavailable?
Asked by
jfos (
7392
)
March 8th, 2010
[E = eating]
Over the weekend, I was at my friend’s house. It became apparant that I had to use the bathroom. I noticed that there was no toilet paper in there, and I asked her about it. She said she would grab some from her roommates’ bathroom. The roll that I expected came in the form of a wad of toilet paper (9 sheets to be exact). Despite my initial shock that “This is definitely not enough,” necessity outweighed preparation, and I had to make do. Needless to say, it was a handful.
NOW, this was a problem for me because I am used to having toilet paper in my lifestyle. I know that in some places it is not used or not available. This is one example of a “convenience” taken for granted until it was unavailable. Have you been in a similar predicament (not necessarily TP)? Did you live to tell the tale? If so, tell it…
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
29 Answers
I’d say a hair dryer that works and a car that starts when you turn the key would rank pretty high on my list.
Ability to be walking and running at will, 2nd time I messed up my knee and I fucking hate it taking a shower and simple things take on another level haha….
Not sure if it counts but hey.
When I went to Europe, it took me a little while to get used to how they handle some of the basics: soap and paper towels in bathrooms (not easy to find) and water and napkins on the table when you eat. I was definitely amazed by how much that little detail drove me crazy. I finally just had to start carrying all of my own.
Camping will make you miss running water very quickly….mattresses too…heat…yes,heat
@ifos-Beer was involved in these adventures,but hand sanitizer didn’t exist!LOL
A phone. I live alone some distance away from most of the people I know and so my phone is a bit of a lifeline to me. Anyway, a month or so ago someone crashed into the mast for the network I use and so there was absolutely no signal for about 48 hours. I had to drive 20 minutes out of my town if I wanted to make a call.
Retiring from the military was something of a shock for me. I no longer had a driver, I have to make my own transportation arrangements (tickets, etc). Generally, things in life are not done “by the book” but by some crazy mixed up civilian set of standards that I don’t understand. Having to actually choose what clothing to wear instead of following Uniform of the Day is still irritating. I just devise my own “uniform” so I don’t have to think about it. I never realized how “institutionalized” I had become until it disappeared.
I took it for granted that, being a US citizen, my government was a fair one and would treat me as it would any US citizen is treated. After all, there are laws in place to prevent things to the contrary. How wrong I was! I married an illegal immigrant five weeks AFTER the fall of the twin towers. The fallout from laws created three weeks before we married (not to mention, the laws created since that time) to get people out of the country has made us live like hunted criminals. All I did was what everybody else has taken completely for granted. I fell in love, got married and had a family.
Had we married three weeks earlier, our lives would have gone on without incident. I won’t list all the things that have happened to us, except to say that my family lies in utter ruin, and I have health problems as a result of living like an animal that WILL affect me for the rest of my life, and will shorten my life span considerably. We didn’t know that we were commiting any crime when we married, but oh, how times had changed. This is the difference a few weeks in your life can make. I went from a nobody, to a person of intense focus, all because I did the most normal thing in the world.
I’m going to lower the intellectual level of this thread a bit and go with sex. You never miss the water until the well runs dry.
@stranger_in_a_strange_land I know plenty of ex-military folk who would agree with you 100%. Most of the males in my family (and one female) for example.
Eye glasses. Mine broke Saturday afternoon, and since I was unable to get a replacement pair til Sunday afternoon I spent 24 hours blind as a fucking bat. Horrible experience.
I am sure if my ex came back, I would resend that answer. ;-)
But, I do miss the companionship (I do luv a warm body in bed) , the sharing of responsibilities and that two paycheck home. :-)
dry clothes- I spent 2 weeks in Costa Rica last year during the rainy season and from the moment we left the airport between the humidity and the rain there was not a dry shirt in the land (including in our suitcases)
I enjoy the water that comes out when I turn the tap and the electricity that comes out when I plug something in. Also, the fact that there is food in the grocery store when I go there. I also, really, do not take it for granted. I’m ever mindful that these luxuries/necessities can be gone in a minute. I watch way too much History channel.
@ChazMaz -What about nagging,bitching,pouting and sulking? ;)lol
Naggy, Bitchy, Pouty, Sulky, Sleazy, Skanky and Dot!
Calling customer service and immediately hearing a friendly voice on the other end.
Indoor plumbing.
No matter how crappy the physical environments and neighbourhoods of the homes I grew up in were, even when gas and electricity were shut off because there was no money, at least the plumbing worked. Until it didn’t in the flat I was a 10-year-old in. The landlord, a quintessential cheap bastard/bad landlord, lallygagged over having the necessary repairs done. Almost 2 weeks of no running water and no proper toilet. It was a mess. Only when my guardian threatened to call the local news station’s complaint reporter did he get a plumber in to fix things.
I never understood how someone could buy a property and not do the necessary maintenance and repairs. No matter where we lived, we were good tenants, so for this guy to balk at making one repair in 6 years really cheesed me off back then.
Walking. I was in an accident and broke both of my ankles. I woke up not remembering anything, and being told I might never walk again. That was a shock. I didn’t listen though, and am pretty well these days. I still have pain every step, which always reminds me not to take anything for granted.
Heat in the wintertime. It really sucks when you lose it :O
@Chongalicious i second this. When you’re in the woods, or away from shelter, temperature extremes really make you wish you were elsewhere. Indoor temp regulation is a convenience that is very nice to have.
@Ltryptophan or if your central air breaks and you can’t replace it >.<
Electricity. I had relatives I visited that would turn it off during certain hours of the day or night depending on the season of the year. Here I was a 12yr old holding an electric razor and wanting to take a full bath to myself in order to shave my legs and they thought I was crazy.
Answer this question 
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.
Composing members:
0
