The inexorable demise of civility continues apace, through countless small but significant displays of rudeness.
Normally when I enter or leave a public place, such as an office or a store, I take a quick look behind me, so I can hold the door open if anyone is on my heels. But last Saturday I was caught up in conversation with my wife Liz when she walked into a bookstore in front of me, so I didn’t think to look back as I followed her in.
As it turns out, a woman was trailing me, which I didn’t realize at the time. So I didn’t hold the door for her. Okay, I messed up, but it wasn’t intentional. When people do that sort of thing to me, as they often do, I simply grab the door as it closes in my face and open it without comment.
But not this woman.
Standing within inches of my back as I entered the store, she shouted so loudly that I almost jumped: “Right behind you!” Her belligerence seemed to imply that I was deliberately slamming the door on her, and that this was a capital offense.
Once inside the store, she marched through the magazine section toward the café, looking for all the world like Gen. George Patton in search of a soldier to slap around. Fortunately, no small children or senior citizens stumbled into her path, because watching her swat them aside would not have been a pretty sight.
Courtesy is suffering the proverbial death by a thousand cuts, each of which helps to create a “new normal” in which politeness seems increasingly archaic.
Normally when I enter or leave a public place, such as an office or a store, I take a quick look behind me, so I can hold the door open if anyone is on my heels. But last Saturday I was caught up in conversation with my wife Liz when she walked into a bookstore in front of me, so I didn’t think to look back as I followed her in.
As it turns out, a woman was trailing me, which I didn’t realize at the time. So I didn’t hold the door for her. Okay, I messed up, but it wasn’t intentional. When people do that sort of thing to me, as they often do, I simply grab the door as it closes in my face and open it without comment.
But not this woman.
Standing within inches of my back as I entered the store, she shouted so loudly that I almost jumped: “Right behind you!” Her belligerence seemed to imply that I was deliberately slamming the door on her, and that this was a capital offense.
Once inside the store, she marched through the magazine section toward the café, looking for all the world like Gen. George Patton in search of a soldier to slap around. Fortunately, no small children or senior citizens stumbled into her path, because watching her swat them aside would not have been a pretty sight.
Courtesy is suffering the proverbial death by a thousand cuts, each of which helps to create a “new normal” in which politeness seems increasingly archaic.
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