COMMON COURTESY: WHERE HAS IT GONE?

A while back, I was in a store in the movie section, when a lady walked up beside me and started looking at the same section I was looking at. Then she stepped right in front of me and took my spot, just like I wasn’t even standing there. I was upset by this so, not wanting to be rude myself, I walked away. Sometimes I just shake my head and wonder, “What’s wrong with people? Where are their manners?”

A few years ago I was making a phone call. A stranger answered. He wasn’t too rude, but he quickly let me know I had dialed the wrong number. I apologized and hung up. I was pretty sure I had the right number written down but had just dialed it wrong. So I redialed, being very careful to get each number right this time. The same guy answered and before I could explain anything to him, he began yelling and cursing and screaming at me, “DON’T YOU EVER CALL THIS NUMBER AGAIN!!!” That was very rude and so uncalled for.  

I see the same thing with drivers on the road. Everybody is in such a hurry. Cutting people off. Driving insanely fast and trying to beat traffic lights. No wonder there are so many accidents.       

One day my wife and I walked out of a restaurant after eating lunch. We were in the parking lot as a car came down the aisle. The lady driving didn’t even try to slow down, even though we were already in the middle of the aisle. I could see she had no intention of stopping to let us get on across. We had to step back to keep her from running over us. I’m glad we were paying attention. I asked my wife, “What has happened to common courtesy?” Everyone is in such a big hurry. No one wants to go out of their way to be nice to others anymore. Well, I know it’s not everyone, but lately, there seem to be a lot more selfish and rude people.

I’ve thought about it a lot lately and I realize that there are lots of different ways that people are rude to others and it seems to only be getting worse. Humans are selfish creatures. We are selfish with our time, our money and consideration for others, but we freely give our opinion and condemnation.

I’ve also realized that I can’t condemn others for treating people badly because I don’t always treat people like I should either. Especially my family and friends. Those closest to me. People have a lot going on these days and we don’t always think before we react. I have often found myself apologizing because I said something harsh without thinking first. There’s really no good reason to disrespect others and treat them badly, no matter what’s going on with us. That’s an excuse I’ve used before, but it’s invalid. I don’t want to use it anymore. No matter what we have been through, and no matter what we’re going through, we are responsible for our own actions.

Just look at how Jesus was treated, but he didn’t take out his frustrations on others. He didn’t even retaliate when he was being beaten and mocked and killed. In fact, he asked his Father to forgive those who were mistreating him. If we all would follow his example, the world would be a much better place. But we need his help to do this. I’m asking him to help me to make it a priority to think before I react, and I hope you’ll join me. Let’s make this world of ours a nicer place to live.

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