Signs of the times: Why has this sign outside a Virginia coffee shop gone viral?

Signs of the times: Why has this sign outside a Virginia coffee shop gone viral?

One of the more unfortunate byproducts of so-called “social justice” is its emphasis on the “self.” Examples of fascination with and celebration of “me” are everywhere. We see it in particular in our schools, which happily cater to the few, while ignoring the needs and wants of the many.

Take the case of a Maryland school district that canceled Jewish and Christian holidays from its calendar when Muslims in the community complained. Never mind that practitioners of that faith comprise 1.5% of the population.

Or take the argument from this morning’s Globe and Mail that the claim that “all lives matter” is false because blacks came up with the “lives matter” meme first. Again, never mind that the assertion that all lives matter includes black lives.

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Against the backdrop of this never-ending struggle for approbation through force, it is reassuring to stumble upon a story from Roanoke, Va. The centerpiece of the story is a sign outside a coffee shop that reaffirms the values of graciousness and simple gratitude.

Here, via CBS affiliate WDBJ is a picture of the sign, which has gone viral:

And here is the text:

“One small coffee”
$5.00
“One small coffee, please”
$3.00
“Hello, I’d like one small coffee please.”
$1.75

Austin Simms, who presumably owns or manages the shop, told reporters that he was just trying to be funny, not famous.

But his words belie that simple goal:

I decided because I need to solve all the injustices of the world to start charging more for people who didn’t take the time to say hello and connect and realize we’re all people behind the counter.

 

Howard Portnoy

Howard Portnoy

Howard Portnoy has written for The Blaze, HotAir, NewsBusters, Weasel Zippers, Conservative Firing Line, RedCounty, and New York’s Daily News. He has one published novel, Hot Rain, (G. P. Putnam’s Sons), and has been a guest on Radio Vice Online with Jim Vicevich, The Alana Burke Show, Smart Life with Dr. Gina, and The George Espenlaub Show.

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