Bill Engvall said it best, we need to give a sign to stupid humans when they are being stupid.
Tonight Pauline and I and a Ranger were in the booth checking in campers, selling firewood, etc when a young woman came to the window and was asking how much the firewood was, Pauline told her “$6 a bundle” which brought immediate attitude from this young woman as she blurts out “You’re going to do everything you can to take my money!”
The Ranger, in a very polite and professional way, explained to her why the cost is so high which is due to the State has cut back State Parks budget’s so drastically, the Park system is dying.
Her reply to the Ranger…
“Well, maybe if they fired people like you, firewood would be cheaper.”
You could have heard a pin drop in that booth.
I was about to say something, when I realized there is NOTHING I could say at this time and moment that won’t come out in a “I’LL KILL YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!” tone so I just walked out of the booth.
To his credit, the Ranger was still polite and professional and told her “They do and have fired people like me, many of who are my friends.” which made the young girl realize, what a crap thing she just said.
She apologized and said she didn’t mean it that way and tried to joke it off, but come on, that is the shittiest things I have ever witnessed regarding a Park Ranger.
I have been to 39 States, visiting countless State and National Parks and always try to talk to a Ranger regarding the local Park or area, and I have never once got an attitude or anything from a Ranger except a polite and professional encounter.
I can not think of a time when I did not enjoy talking to a Ranger. They are paid like shit, treated even worse, and yet, still go on do everything they can to make sure their Park is as perfect as it can be.
Respect the Rangers.