albert online

Or, as I call him, “The Crikey! Guy”. I was quite surprised at my own reaction when I read the news earlier Monday afternoon. I don’t particularly care much for him since I don’t have a TV, and the last time I saw him behind a TV screen he was lecturing passengers in my flight about Australia’s quarantine laws and whatnots, cutting off my movie. Grrr.

But, as I said, I was quite shocked. He really is such an Australian icon that even to a non-fan like me his death made an impact. But afterward, reading and thinking some more about it, something familiar surfaced.

“Freak death.”
“Accidental death.”
“He probably died almost instantly.”
“He died doing what he loved best.”

Reading these words triggered something in me. They sounded so familiar, not to mention outright banal and empty. If you think for a second that telling his closest friends and family that Irwin died “doing what he loved best” is going to comfort them, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

I truly and absolutely despise that phrase. It is such a common utterance completely devoid of sensitivity, care, and emotion. It is not at all comforting to the person grieving. In fact, it is the most positive and upbeat thing one could say, but no more comforting than “He’s dead Jim.”

The next time one of your close friends is grieving, do not tell them that “at least” their friend/family/etc. died doing what they loved best. If you think they’re in any shape or form to be positive or upbeat, do you think they would be grieving? To make matters worse, “at least”? What do you mean, “at least”?

Insensitive bastards.