In case you were wondering what's wrong with the world...

So last week, Murray, Gulliver and I headed over to the church building where I could be set apart for my new calling (Ward Newsletter! Awesome!) and Murray could have a home teaching interview. I was finished first, so I waited in the foyer with Gulliver. There were other men who were also there, waiting around. And there was one boy who looked about 14 years old. I didn't interact at all with anyone, but I was privy to any of their conversations. And this is what I overheard.

Man: So I see that you're pretty popular with the girls. It's like, any time I see you in church, there are a bunch of girls surrounding you, and it doesn't matter what ward they're from either. They all know you and can't say enough good things about you. You just wait till you're 16. Your phone will be ringing off the hook with all these girls asking you out.

Boy: Yeah. Uh... I thought that guys were supposed to ask girls out.

Man: Yeah, that's not really how it is anymore. These days, the girls do all the asking out.

Boy: Oh. Well. I think I'd rather be the one to ask the girls out on dates.

Let's pause here to congratulate the boy, by the way. And to note that this could have been a very good moment where a thought like this was properly encouraged and nurtured. Just like a tiny little seed that needs good soil and water and light and love.

Man: Are you kidding? Do you even know how much a date costs? Once you've done just basic dinner and a movie you're already out thirty bucks. Do you have that kind of money to spend? Trust me. You can't afford to ask girls out on dates. It's easier to just let them ask you.

So instead of getting soil, water, and light, that tiny little nugget of a good, proper thought, was poisoned. Poisoned. I weep for the future.