Entitlement. It’s like that weird bit of mold that appears in the corner of your fridge. One minute, everything’s fine, and the next, it’s taken over the cheese, the yogurt, and possibly the entire kitchen. Somewhere along the line, society decided that rules were just “suggestions,” and that the universe owes everyone a favor. And now, we’ve got an entire population of self-important people ruining everything for the rest of us.

Now, I think I’ve just encountered the most entitled person within a 100-mile radius, and I’m fairly certain it might have been the final straw that broke the camel’s back, set it on fire, and sent it tumbling down a hill. Picture this: I’m driving along, minding my own business, when I hit a traffic jam. Was it an accident? Roadwork? No. It was one genius and his friend who decided that walking 10 steps from the parking lot to the bakery was simply beneath them. So what do they do? Park halfway into the road, blocking half the lane like they were the sovereign rulers of carbohydrates. I sat there wondering—did they think their car had diplomatic immunity or something?

Take parking, for instance. There’s always that one individual who believes that the “No Parking” sign is some sort of decorative accessory, not a legally binding instruction. They park on sidewalks, hog two spaces like they’re some sort of a parking Picasso. Apparently, exerting the slightest effort to park properly would be a violation of their personal space. Don’t even get me started on the slow-moving road warriors in the left lane. The left lane is for overtaking, not for sightseeing, texting, or contemplating the meaning of life while the rest of us lose the will to live behind them.

Then there’s the mobile phone enthusiasts, the ones who treat their smartphones like they’re surgically attached to their hands. They’re texting while driving, swerving across lanes like a pinball machine. How they manage to avoid an accident is anyone’s guess. And let’s not forget the drunk drivers, still out there, as if they’ve somehow been granted divine permission to endanger the lives of everyone else.

Now, onto the grocery store. You’d think basic shopping etiquette would be second nature, but apparently not. People leave their carts in the middle of aisles as though they’re participating in an extreme sport, blocking entire sections of produce while they’re chatting away. Meanwhile, you’re just trying to grab a few apples and escape before you lose your last ounce of patience. And then there’s the noisy ones who seem to think that a supermarket is the perfect place to air out their entire life story—loud enough for the entire store to hear.

And the highlight? The recent spate of “shoplifting as performance art” at places like Walmart, Target, or any other shopping place. People stroll out with entire shopping carts of stolen goods, not even bothering to hide them, as if taking things that aren’t yours has become a competitive event. Meanwhile, security guards are left sighing in frustration, helpless as these brazen thieves stroll back to their cars as though they’ve just completed a particularly satisfying shopping spree.

But the worst of it all? These entitled folks have somehow convinced themselves that public spaces are their personal playgrounds. Weed smokers puffing away on sidewalks, filling the air with that foul, skunky aroma, because apparently, everyone is required to share in their herbal “enlightenment.”

And, of course, dog owners. They let their pets deposit little “gifts” all over the pavement while they merrily skip off, oblivious to the fact that the rest of us now have to play a game of “Dodge the Dog Mine” during our morning walks.

Then there are airports, the ultimate breeding ground for entitlement. People will stop in the middle of the terminal, blocking all progress, acting as if the entire airport is there to cater to their whims. Once on the plane, the armrest hogs, the seat recliners treating economy class like their personal spa, and the people who stuff entire wardrobes into the overhead bin—none of it should be allowed. And don’t get me started on the seat kickers, the loud talkers, and the ones who take their shoes off like they’re lounging in their own living room. Oh, and there’s always that guy who decides to clip his toenails mid-flight. Why? Why?

But here’s the thing—this entitlement is nothing new. It’s been festering for years, like a dirty sock stuffed under your car seat. The only difference now is that people are louder, bolder, and somehow convinced that the universe revolves around their every whim.

So what’s the solution? Maybe we need a national “Reality Check Day” where everyone is forced to take an etiquette class. Or maybe a big flashing sign over the country that simply says: “You’re Not That Special.” Or—hear me out—maybe people could just try being decent human beings. Radical, I know.

Until then, we’ll just have to navigate the minefield of delusional self-importance one entitled idiot at a time. Cheers.

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