Dealing with 'Cool(?) kids.'

Bodhgaya

Well, I know our definition of 'cool' has changed over the years.
Some of these kids are cool in the sense of.... well, doing drugs, drinking, promiscuity, and being snarky. And whatever else.

It wouldn't be such a problem, but I live with, and am related to people who are into said things. As well, I had a sibling who died due to drugs and a 'crazy' wife, so says my family- but I won't say that's true.

I was wondering how to take an approach to a situation if I'm presented with someone talking about drugs, drinking, etc being 'the bomb diggity'. I wouldn't have thought people would be so open, but I can see I wasn't too correct.
I had someone today ask if Red Cross would take blood with thc in it.

Thank you for helping this baffled mind!. :rolleyes:

Invincible_summer

You don't have to hold any characters judgments about these people. You don't have to condone or refute anything. Listen, smile, and thank them for taking the time to talk to you.

Bodhgaya

That would be one of the better ways to deal, wouldn't it?
What if they are screamers, though?

hermitwin

Most people know drugs are bad for you.
Just tell them about your sibling who died.

Mountains

Here's the thing: you can't change them. Only they can change themselves. If it's to the point that it really bothers you, you can remove yourself from the situation to the best of your ability. Otherwise, all you can do is practice metta toward them and know that they are young and thus generally subject to outside influences and that this will (hopefully) pass. It's the same as living with an alcoholic. No outside influence is going to change the behavior. It has to originate from within.

TheJourney

Others may disagree with me here, but personally I feel the best way to approach it is that they are not doing anything wrong. They're doing their thing, and that's fine for them. If you don't feel like drugs, and that 'scene', are right for you, then they're not right for you. It's a personal choice. Live and let live.

Epicurus

TheJourney wrote: »

Others may disagree with me here, but personally I feel the best way to approach it is that they are not doing anything wrong. They're doing their thing, and that's fine for them. If you don't feel like drugs, and that 'scene', are right for you, then they're not right for you. It's a personal choice. Live and let live.

Pretty much agree.

I would add, there's a difference between doing something detrimental to one self, and doing something immoral towards other people.

No self-inflicted action is immoral. Only from one's point of view. Morality is about what we think other people are doing wrong to a third party (ourselves or others).

If they aren't doing something immoral, let them be. Say your piece. Try to convince them drugs are bad, in a way that you think will genuinely get their attention. There is no standard. Different individuals will be convinced differently. But after saying it once, leave them to their own devices. They are not doing something immoral if they are only doing it to themselves.

Bodhgaya

I suppose that is true.
I just find it stupid to be blunt in a public area. Especially at a school with teachers and police around.

Epicurus

Well if the teachers and police aren't doing something about it, it's not really being that stupid is it? Risky perhaps.

Bodhgaya

Risky indeed.
But their priorities seem to go in different areas these days...