By Philip Patston

I've been noticing this in so many people lately that I just have to rant about it: entitlement.

Why do people think they're entitled to anything?

"Because I'm marginalised."

"Because I'm an artist."

"Because I'm an employee."

"Because I'm your partner."

"Because somebody wronged me."

"Because I had a hard upbringing."

"Because other people have too much."

"Because...because...because..."

Entitlement is arrogant. It is an unnegotiated expectation that someone else will fulfill your desires. It is a deliberate shirking of self-responsibility. It is a naive belief that you should have something because you think it's right. It's a total disregard for your own creativity.

Entitlement may have legal bearings, but even these can be argued against in court.

This does not mean that we all don't have responsibilities. We have the responsibility to care for children, ensure people have basic human rights, do everything in our power to create harmonious environments. We have the responsibility to be generous, assertive, humble and grateful.

But believing you are entitled to respect because you are older, to food because you are hungry, to money because you are poor or creative, or to sympathy because you are sad — that's like crossing a road without looking, believing you are entitled to life.

Entitlement or responsibility — that's the choice. Which is for you?