or is this horribly patronising?

[Himalayansalt]

Someone has posted a photo of one of the people who sweeps our streets in our local forum/group with this caption

"This is xzy, a big feature in our local tapestry here in xyz. He sweeps our streets and throughout the whole of this year’s crisis, has not taken any time off. He does his job come rain, shine or pandemic. In the next lockdown he will be there again diligently cleaning up the mess that others leave behind.

As well as being passionate about keeping our neighbourhood looking tidy, he’s a bit of a guru and will stop and chat happily about life, the universe and everything. I stopped and chatted to him yesterday, as I always do when I see him and he thanked me for taking the time.
If you see him, have a chat and say thank you."

I have got the absolute cringe with this, although some would say she was well-meaning and trying to #bekind. But - it's off isn't it?

I don't think it is. It's recognising all of the people who the government have demonised over the last ten years.

People are blamed for needing UC etc top ups, or not having a cushion of savings, but we need low paid jobs doing and generally the low paid workers are the one's who we would miss.

I agree it is patronising. I imagine the poster patting themselves on the back for being such a good samaritan.

Either be someone's friend or don't, but don't treat them like a lesser creature.

I think it's lovely

but don't treat them like a lesser creature.

I don't see that they are being treated as a lesser creature.

I think it's a nice thing to do - most people don't give a second thought to the people clearing up (now that is treating someone as a lesser person!).

I think we live in the same area OP!

a big feature in our local tapestry here in xyz

The writer lost me at 'local tapestry'.

A thank you for someone's diligent work in cleaning the streets would be fine.

Talking about another adult like they are the new kid at school who needs help to make friends is patronising.

I wouldn’t appreciate it if I were him.

It's very nice until

'If you see him, have a chat and say thank you.'

Why do they think he needs people to be encouraged to speak to him?! It's patronising to him, and to the reader.

Recognising that someone’s doing a good job is fine.

But the whole ‘look at me, I speak to him’ ‘can you believe he actually has opinions and thoughts and is capable of conversation’ part feels patronising.

It comes across as patronizing. I've got a colleague who does this and it drives me insane. By all means recognize him for his hard work, don't talk about him like he just went potty like a big boy.

I think it’s nice and obviously well intentioned. Would you have given him any thought otherwise?

Hmm, I kind of know what you mean, there's a line between recognising someone undervalued or it turning a bit cringy.
For me it was cringy.. and local tapestry ugh.
You don't live in Wray do you?

I’m sure they’re very proud of themselves whoever posted it. > she’ll claim credit for everyone who chats to him from now on. The poor bastard who she posted about probably wishes she’d bugger off and let him get in with his job.

I think it's trying to say appreciate people who are looking after you and your community without you even recognise it. Take time to say thank you. X

It's very patronising, and the poster made the post not for the cleaner, but to get a virtual pat on the back for deigning to talk to the cleaner.

Thing is most people who write posts like this on Facebook etc are doing it to make themselves feel good and lap up all the attention. Not for the actual person they're writing the post about. Funnily enough the 2 main culprits on my Facebook who pull shit like this aren't actually very nice people. Sleazy, cheats, liars etc.

The thanks and recognition is fine, the 'you should all be like me 'cos I'm amazing, talking to the street sweeper' bit is not.

People demand a hell of a lot of validation, these days. It makes my teeth itch, the self congratulatory tone of it all.

Did she take the photo without his knowledge, or did he know what she was doing?

I'd be mortified if someone took a photo of me doing my job without telling me and then posted it somewhere with a caption like this.

It was ok but a bit gushing and unnecessary and I rolled my eyes at the chatting bit.

That's so often the case @Nymeriastark1

The first paragraph on its own might have been a nice little reminder to appreciate the kind of workers who have just carried on every day without complaint.

The second paragraph is just the equivalent of someone instagramming themselves giving a homeless person a sandwich

I think it's patronising and cringe too.
Also at 'local tapestry'.

Two minds-thought was well-intended but she does go on a bit and her wording is interesting. I wonder if this guy really is 'passionate' about keeping the streets clean. I also wonder if this person would like being singled out on a public forum...

Local tapestry? my armpit....are they insane? Give us all a sick bucket please

At least they are not #livingmybestlife #blessed i suppose