Almost every single one of us can be heard complaining daily about some other human being and his or her complete lack of common courtesy, decorum or manners. Whether we are reenacting the scene during lunch that demonstrates how disgusting table etiquette left a co-worker's lapel resembling that of a front row patron at a Gallagher show or fuming at the jerk who zipped into the parking spot we had been patiently waiting for (turn signal blinking and all)...it is quite apparent that we could make a full time job of pointing out how most folks have really let the reins go in regard to pleasant and courteous planet co-habitation.
However, since we don't have magic wands that can mute the voice of the person rambling on their cell phone in the bathroom stall next to us or blow out the tires of the jack-ass blazing through the school zone at 50 mph, how about we just do a quick check to make sure WE are not the ones who seem to have lost what surely our parents instilled in us as common courtesy and good sense.
Do we wait our turn to speak in a conversation or steam roll people? Do we hold the door open for the next person coming through, or let it go almost slapping them in the face? Do we get halfway through our meal before the other people even get a chance to sit down? Do we blare our music so loud that everyone in a 30 mile radius gets the pleasure of being in our moment with us? Are we the people letting our young children scream their heads off or run amok in restaurants or stores? Are we the neighbor who lets his dog crap in everyone else's yard but our own?
Sure...we have a list of all of our pet peeves...but for once, instead of ranting about everyone else, let's turn the flashlight on ourselves and tighten up our own manners. We CAN do better.
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