Entry: I am beginning to hate titles 10.27.2007



Right now I'm sitting on my hand-me-down futon with my cat and a fuzzy blanket, glasses on and hair tossed back in my stretchy gray shirt that gets me 200 bucks knocked off car repairs. There's a pretty cute guy sitting on the floor with headphones on, and a cheesy horror flick on the tv courtesy of the SciFi channel. What's running through my head is really nothing to do with the previously mentioned but instead everything to do with what I haven't mentioned.

There's a lot going on in the world at any given time when we are having a relaxing evening or tucking ourselves into bed yet we seem to think it all just stops with us from time to time. But the fires are still burning, the guns are still firing and the little boy down the road is still awake because he's afraid of the monsters in the closet.

We all think we are the most important people in the world, or at least the most significant, when we are in a hurry to get somewhere or wondering why the hell we got fired or our mom got cancer (before you go getting worried, no my mom does not have cancer anymore and I was only fired the one time for bullshit reason). Why doesn't it occur to us that the guy in the next car over has the same problems to deal with, possibly more? Why don't we think, gee, maybe I should say thank you to the fast food drive-thru personnel for just "doing their jobs"? I mean it;s a pretty thankless job, it really could only improve their day if we are polite instead of barking our orders out and driving to the window and speeding away after a demand for extra sauce.

What I'm trying to say here, in a very roundabout way, is this: why aren't we nice to all these strangers we encounter on the road, in the store, on the street? When did we develop the notion that everyone owes us, and we owe no one? And if everyone really owes everyone else, isn't it about time we start paying up?
   4 comments

Jeremiadist
October 28, 2007   01:27 AM PDT
 
Many people *are* routinely nice to service workers, and even intermittently polite. Sadly, they do not get celebrated. Thanks for drawing attention to that what needs pointing out.
J f Z
October 28, 2007   09:54 AM PDT
 
I even tip the person who makes my yummy sandwich at Subway even though it's not expected there. You should see the look on their face.

The cashier/clerk at the corner gas station knows me by name. I hadn't been in there for about six months and she greeted me personally, by name, the other day. Why? Because I'm nice to people I meet.

The cashier/clerk at the gas station where I buy my discount cigarettes knows me by name. I take the time, when not busy, to speak with people I plan on doing business with regularly. His family is from India and his wife is about to have their first child.

Because I go grocery shopping at the same store over and over again, I know about half dozen stockers and cashiers who have worked there over the years by their name. I say hello to them when I see them. I thank my cashier or wish him/her a good day.

It's really not very difficult to lead a pleasant life. You might bring your own happiness with you, if you have to in the beginning. But then on the days that may be personally stressful or troubling, you may just be surprised by someone else's kindness and thoughtfulness.
Gloria
October 28, 2007   11:39 AM PDT
 
I think about this too, Kat.
Deirdre
October 29, 2007   12:50 PM PDT
 
I am always nice to people in public in any circumstance. I pride myself in putting them first, even when it makes me uncomfortable.

I notice though that not many people do this and sometimes I feel like my efforts are for nothing but still, onward I go.

Leave a Comment:

Name


Homepage (optional)


Comments