andsoitis

A friend of mine told me a story earlier today and conveniently enough, it was a story similar in theme to the concept I had in mind for this blog entry. It revolved around the concept of decency in humanity, something we once referred to as “manners”. He had just stepped through the doors of the subway train, walking out onto a platform walked primarily by oblivious, inconsiderate, and average people who, unfortunately, represent the attitudes held by the majority of youths in the present day. On the same platform was a blind man, walking in small steps, asking for help from anyone who would hear him. This friend of mine told me that could not believe how many people he had seen walk by the blind man without offering a helping hand and by this, I am not surprised. He, obviously, was the strapping young lad to stop and give ten minutes of aid to someone who was clearly in need of it. Personally, my favourite part of the story was the conclusion - the part when he told me that he had never felt better as a human being.I realize that opportunities like these don’t just pop up for everyone on a day-to-day basis but it doesn’t have to. Like with most other things in life, you should start small and progressively work your way up. The manners that you hear the old folks reminiscing about seem to be nowhere to be found in this modern age. Where have they gone? And when did they go? I have a few items on a list which I refer to as “a list of things to make you less of an asshole”. They are as follows:

1) “Say please and thank you”. I realize that this is a very complicated concept to a great amount of people out there but the response is unbelievable. To see how cheerily people react to these key words leaves me under the impression that not enough people are saying them anymore.

2) “Smile while serving a customer / Smile while being served”. It is very common for customers to talk down to their server/customer service representative because they are waiting on you just as it is very common for a server to show up to your table, clearly disgruntled, under the assumption that you will be one of those people. To the customers: just because you chose a profession that doesn’t involve taking orders and bringing them to people does not for a second mean that your server should have made the same choice in life. What doesn’t seem like a glamorous position to you is the food on the table to somebody else. Treat them with respect or suffer through a spit-soaked sandwich. To the server: You get what you give. Show up to every table with a smile on your face in hopes that it will be reciprocated. Nothing is worse than being waited on by someone who has already decided you’re an asshole before you even say hello.

3) “Hold the door”. I am truly amazed by how many people lack common courtesy to the extent that they won’t even hold the door for someone who is walking right behind them. Every public door that I step through, I look behind me as I enter and hold the door if there is anyone behind me - anyone at all. It is something that takes four seconds (at most) and is simply the kind thing to do. Have people gotten so tied up in their own little words that holding the door for a fellow human being has gone out the window? 4) “Offer directions to someone who is clearly lost”. It is pretty obvious when someone is a tourist or has just plain lost their way. A great portion of these people have too much foolish pride to conjure up the nerve and ask someone for directions, so be a sport and take some initiative. You’ll get the warm tingly feeling that most people do once they’ve done something commendable, even in the slightest.

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