Gold Stars Are Only For Excellence

As a nation of entitled individuals we are always hoping to get credit and recognition for every little thing we do. Whether we were asked to do something or did it on our own, we want someone to know that we did it. This was put into our heads as we were children and our beloved school teachers gave us gold stars and put them on papers and charts to let everyone know that we were great. We felt love, appreciation and recognition for the most menial tasks. The problem lies in the fact that we often receive gold stars as adults for things we in fact should receive nothing for.

How does this transcend to adulthood you ask? Let's take a relationship for example. Your beau takes you on a romantic date. Somewhere you've wanted to go for quite some time. Maybe he didn't have the money, maybe he's just a bad planner. Who knows, but that is besides the point. He finally takes you, he surprises you with gifts and he gushes about how much he adores you the entire day/night. Pretty great right?!? Then at some point post romantic outing you get into a squabble, where he decides to itemize all the things he has done for you and makes it appear as if you don't appreciate him.

STOP RIGHT THERE SIR! WHAT I WON'T DO IS GIVE YOU A GOLD STAR FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO!

You're supposed to hold my door and not allow me to walk on the outside of you for safety reasons. You're supposed to take me on amazing dates. You are supposed to surprise me with little tokens. You are supposed to tell me how much you love and show me for that matter. Stop asking to be put on a pedestal for what is supposed to be the standard. Please know that I will forever give credit where credit is due, but I'm not giving out freebies. That just won't happen.

Ladies, I beg you stop giving men credit for things that they don't deserve. Set your standards and he needs to follow them. If he doesn't something amazing by all means praise him, give him a gold star and maybe even some cookies.