One of the most challenging parts of living more sustainably: other people bragging and showing off nonsense they think is “green”
If you think living in an apartment disconnected from the electric grid in Manhattan is hard, you haven’t had to deal with talking to people about sustainability when you’re doing it.
People seem compelled to tell me their half-assed “sustainability” practices, nearly always self-righteously, as it they want my approval. I don’t look forward to people bragging, even less when their bragging doesn’t follow from whatever half-assed thing they did. Sometimes they avoid straws, others they eat less meat, and so on. They always talk about meaningless actions, but they always seem self-satisfied.
Then if I comment anything less than praise they insist I’m judging them. They’re judging! Saying or implying they’re doing good is judgment.
They’re annoying, acting as if they aren’t looking for validation when they are. I’m not accusing them. It’s hard to break away from the culture everyone around you follows. It’s easier to follow than to lead. I don’t have to like it though.
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