Snowflakes

[Davey Do]

Three snows already this season. I needed a snowflake character.

Snowflake as a slang term involves the derogatory usage of the word snowflake to refer to a person... perceived by others to have an inflated sense of uniqueness or an unwarranted sense of entitlement, or to be over-emotional, easily offended, and unable to deal with opposing opinions. Wikipedia

Hence, the Snowflake Song cartoon.

Not directed at anyone in particular.

Just having fun with a concept.

​

[Davey Do]

Alas... it was fun while it lasted:

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[Tomascz, ASN, RN]

I'm not sure what this conversation is really about, but I'm perfectly willing to stick my neck out and step on it, anyway.

I'm an RN; a job not many people are willing to do or maybe even can do. Some days I'm not sure I'm up to the task. It's always an imperfect system, staffed by imperfect people, doing the best they can to get thru the shift without doing harm to the other human beings we've tasked ourselves with taking care of. On top of that, we're confronted with interacting with and having to depend on other RN's, whom we may not like, for whatever reason, to get the job done.

Everybody in this field has developed coping mechanisms, out of necessity. For instance Empathy, that much touted quality good RN's are supposed to possess, as if by magic, is usually something acquired from a dysfunctional childhood in response to the need to assess and anticipate the possibility of a dangerous change in mood or situation in our environments. We learn to read people. Empathy makes that possible, but it's a survival mechanism borne out of danger and trauma.

Labeling and name calling are survival tactics. I think we put people in "boxes" because we need to make them manageable; maybe to explain away whatever behaviours or attitudes we dislike. It explains and justifies feelings and behaviors we have that we're not really comfortable with in ourselves, and shifts our focus from ourselves to the other.

I think labeling "generations" falls in the same category. We are a continuum, not distinct groups. Our attitudes and beliefs and behaviours are influenced by a huge multitude of factors that can't be simply put in boxes.

Anyway, that's my two cents. A huge chunk of this job is dealing with our own and other peoples emotions in a functionally constructive fashion, and no, I'm not always up to the task. Knowing that is half the battle.

[Julius Seizure]

Most people don't mean any ill will, just teasing all in good fun. I have heard it from people older than me, and I tease my kids, and now grandkids also (walked to school in the snow all uphill etc). No harm meant.

If only everyone meant it in good fun like you and Davey seem to. Some people seem to have so much spite behind these things.

[Julius Seizure]

For instance Empathy, that much touted quality good RN's are supposed to possess, as if by magic, is usually something acquired from a dysfunctional childhood in response to the need to assess and anticipate the possibility of a dangerous change in mood or situation in our environments. We learn to read people. Empathy makes that possible, but it's a survival mechanism borne out of danger and trauma.

Whoa. My life suddenly makes more sense...

[Bonstemps, EMT-P]

If only everyone meant it in good fun like you and Davey seem to. Some people seem to have so much spite behind these things.

I agree. I think it's the assault of the mean hearted version of this banter that gives people fatigue It just stops being funny and crosses into being exhausting and sad.

[Bonstemps, EMT-P]

I'm not sure what this conversation is really about, but I'm perfectly willing to stick my neck out and step on it, anyway.

I'm an RN; a job not many people are willing to do or maybe even can do. Some days I'm not sure I'm up to the task. It's always an imperfect system, staffed by imperfect people, doing the best they can to get thru the shift without doing harm to the other human beings we've tasked ourselves with taking care of. On top of that, we're confronted with interacting with and having to depend on other RN's, whom we may not like, for whatever reason, to get the job done.

Everybody in this field has developed coping mechanisms, out of necessity. For instance Empathy, that much touted quality good RN's are supposed to possess, as if by magic, is usually something acquired from a dysfunctional childhood in response to the need to assess and anticipate the possibility of a dangerous change in mood or situation in our environments. We learn to read people. Empathy makes that possible, but it's a survival mechanism borne out of danger and trauma.

Labeling and name calling are survival tactics. I think we put people in "boxes" because we need to make them manageable; maybe to explain away whatever behaviours or attitudes we dislike. It explains and justifies feelings and behaviors we have that we're not really comfortable with in ourselves, and shifts our focus from ourselves to the other.

I think labeling "generations" falls in the same category. We are a continuum, not distinct groups. Our attitudes and beliefs and behaviours are influenced by a huge multitude of factors that can't be simply put in boxes.

Anyway, that's my two cents. A huge chunk of this job is dealing with our own and other peoples emotions in a functionally constructive fashion, and no, I'm not always up to the task. Knowing that is half the battle.

Have you listened to NPRs Invisibllia's "Power of Categories"; it is exactly what you are talking about; I agree with your 2-cents! The Power Of Categories : Invisibilia : NPR

[nursel56]

I hope that these snowflakes are able to effectuate positive change in the workplace. I hope. Maybe nurses won't need to become crusty in the future....

(Yes, I know I'm delusional. I said "I hope.").

To beekee: Is being crusty a bad thing, LOL

Originally, the term was not meant to describe mean old nurses. The very first COB thread was more along the lines of nurses who didn't freak out over dark humor or accused of lacking in compassion if they vent to coworkers about the demanding or entitled behavior exhibited by some of their patients.

Then a lot of people joined in with their thoughts elaborating on that theme.

[Davey Do]

I'm not sure what this conversation is really about, but I'm perfectly willing to stick my neck out and step on it, anyway.

Thank you for your perspective, Tomascz, it is valid and noteworthy.

What this thread is really about is having fun with a concept. Snowflakes has been a popular subject of discussion in the past, I extremely enjoy art & humor, I knew the subject would spark some comments which would subsequently inspire me to do art and respond with a comic.

This thread has been a selfish endeavor, I've used AN.com and its members to feed my monkey, and I'm coming clean. It's all about me!

Bottom line. The cat is out of the bag.

[Davey Do]

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[Daisy4RN]

Thank you for your perspective, Tomascz, it is valid and noteworthy.

What this thread is really about is having fun with a concept. Snowflakes has been a popular subject of discussion in the past, I extremely enjoy art & humor, I knew the subject would spark some comments which would subsequently inspire me to do art and respond with a comic.

This thread has been a selfish endeavor, I've used AN.com and its members to feed my monkey, and I'm coming clean. It's all about me!

Bottom line. The cat is out of the bag.

How dare you DaveyDo, if that is the case then ....."tip me over and pour me out"

Disclaimer: I am just joking

[Davey Do]

If only everyone meant it in good fun like you and Davey seem to. Some people seem to have so much spite behind these things.

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[Davey Do]

How dare you DaveyDo, if that is the case then ....."tip me over and pour me out"

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And, Daisy, don't think I didn't notice your astute connection with the snowflake song!