Common Courtesy

Just the other day, it seemed disgustingly obvious to me that common courtesy does not exist anymore.  Surely, there are some exceptions but for the most part, people seem to just be out to get one another.  What’s the point?  Does no one keep in mind the Golden Rule anymore?  Is it even instilled in children anymore?  What has happened over the years to make people so rude?

Often I hear people complain about how rude other people can be.  Obviously I’m guilty of doing this myself, and often my friends and family talk about it as well.  If we all know how rude people can be, why don’t we go out of our own ways to be nicer? 

At this rate, it’s easy for anyone to truly believe that common courtesy does not exist!  How do we expect things to get better when we’re walking around with the same mind frame as everyone else.  Here are some things that can help you to open your eyes and make the world a better place:

• Honestly, is it so hard to wait a few precious seconds to hold the door for someone?

• If someone does hold the door for you, is it that difficult to say thanks?  Wouldn’t you get ticked off a little bit if you held the door and the person was snotty about it?  Think about what upsets other people.

• It’s not really going to slow down your trip if you let a car in that’s trying to merge into traffic, or whatever the case may be.  Chances are they’ll appreciate it, especially if no one else is letting them in!

• No one seems to say “Bless you” anymore when someone sneezes.  It’s just a nice thing to do!
• Say you’re at the grocery store.  You have 2 items and are stuck behind someone with 44 things.  Don’t you appreciate it when that person lets you cut ahead?  Of course!  Return the favor sometime!
• Don’t use the phone in quiet places.  You don’t need to be yapping away on the phone in a library.  You are going to upset people who are trying to get things done.  Go outside or elsewhere!
• If you’re in a group of people, keep distance from other people.  Obviously you’re going to be louder and that can just be rude.  If you have the option, be away from others.
• If someone drops stuff, it would not kill you to help them pick it up.

Everyone is guilty of being rude at one time or another.  Even if you’re having a bad day, it doesn’t mean you have the right to be rude to others.  If you’re nice, people will be nice to you at some point, and hey, that may make your day better!  Keep it in mind to be courteous out there!