[Thrusher]

When I read this headline, I just had to post this anecdote, even though few will read it and less will care.

There is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant and bar in my hometown famous for its pizza. A friend of mine stopped in one night and it was packed, as always. We had to sit in this little niche of two tables right next to each other. Being both youngish and single at the time, we didn't mind at all, because there was a small group of young women at the table next to us, and at least two of them seemed mildly attractive (after we'd had a few drinks).

Anyway, it was hard not to overhear there conversation because the tables were right on top of each other, and we were both trying to figure out a way to strike up a conversation.

We quickly learned they were high school teachers, b!tching about how much they hated being teachers.

One told a story about a certain student -- they all seemed to know him and apparently admired his physique -- who she thought was just too cocky. She took great relish in telling the others that she had failed him on his last test. After openly admitting he probably deserved a "D", she said she failed him because he was just such an @$$hole and those kinds of "jocks" never gave her the time of day when she was in high school.

This was greeted by much laughter, high-fives, and clinking of beer mugs.

The next thing we overheard was another of the teachers talking about how she had been reprimanded because so many of her students had done poorly on the last round of standardized tests they had been through. She whined incessantly about how it wasn't her fault.

I will never forget her single-most inane excuse: "I know I'm not that great of a teacher, and I don't do a great job with my kids... but you know, my students really like me, and I think that's important."

This was greeted by nods and platitudes of approval from the others, as if she had said something very profound, and they all felt very sorry for her plight.

My friend and I got up and left about that time. We found that we had lost of appetites.

[Scotswife]

"My friend and I got up and left about that time. We found that we had lost of appetites"

now you know how my husband often feels.

[wintertime]

My friend and I got up and left about that time. We found that we had lost of appetites.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

That's how my brother felt.

He is a retired electrical engineer, and taught in the government schools for about 10 years after his retirement. He is now fully retired.