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Maybe it was the intimidation factor of a man in uniform sitting in a squad car, but it was rude, nonetheless. It was a beautiful Saturday morning in the Holy City as I sat there in a rocking chair on the gracious front porch. The streets were relatively quiet. The sun was beaming down and a gentle breeze rustled through the magnolias flanking the front steps. It was as near to perfect a day that I’ve found. There was a police car parked on the street directly in front of the house and just a few feet away from me. So close in fact, that I pondered offering the officer inside a cup of coffee. I am feeling very neighborly these days.
As I was about to put down my newspaper and walk back inside, a car slowed down to talk to the policeman. Without so much as a how do you do, the driver barked at the office. “Is there a Walmart around here?” There was no “Excuse me, officer.” Or “Pardon me, sir,” just a barking order and an expectation of delivery. And then, to put the arrogant icing on the rude cake, he drove off without a thank you.
How many times does this happen to you? How many times do we make this mistake? I must admit, I have been guilty on occasion. Often when asking for directions, the time, a light, sometimes even for a cigarette, we forget the necessary civilities. Although, I’ve noticed when someone bums a cigarette they employ the extra nicety. The same goes when begging for money. Please and excuse me are de rigueur when the thing sought is of monetary value, it seems. But aren’t time, directions, even a light worth the same to us when we need these things that someone else may have to offer?
Needless to say this got my dander up because here I am posting about it. Hey, it’s what I do. I actually yelled thank you as the driver pulled away. The officer looked at me nonplussed, not overly concerned but perhaps wondering if I were a bit crazy. Wouldn’t that just be fitting if I got into trouble for barking at an officer of the law?
It’s the little things that matter as we toil the mortal coil. It is not just for children to say and practice. Please, Excuse Me and Thank you will take you far in life, even – it seems — to Walmart.
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this post has 8 comments
I completely sympathize with the sentiments expressed in the article. However, I feel it is equally rude to yell, ‘You’re welcome”, at one who does not say thank you. I believe it is crass, and lowers one’s behaviour to the level of those whose manner we find repelling.
Thank you.
posted on May 22, 2010
Anthony
1539
Thanks for this…..one of my pet peeves…….well done!
posted on May 19, 2010
Bruce
1529
Your cousin Amanda sent me over here and I really enjoyed what I’ve found. Good job.
posted on April 6, 2010
Shellie
1446
I say, SP, good show. The rudeness of strangers knows no bounds. I am often appalled by how thoughtless many of the strangers I come into contact with are. I, as a gentleman of manners, frequently hold the door of a store or other public buildling so that others may pass through. I am amazed at how many sail right by me without a simple “thank you,” particularly when it is obvious that I am not a doorman in the employment of the establishment. I, like you did, frequently say, and rather loudly so that I am sure they cannot fail to hear it: “You’re welcome!” Only a minority then respond with something along the lines of “Uh, thanks…” and scurry away. A real pet peeve of mine. BTW, I enjoyed Ralph’s comment, that under such circumstances a bit of merriment at the rude questioner’s expense is not unmerited. Your faithful reader — Reggie
posted on April 1, 2010
Reggie
1442
Indeed. I heartily agree with this post.
posted on March 31, 2010
Peter
1441
Thanks for this…..one of my pet peeves…….well done!
posted on March 30, 2010
ben
1439
I know this may be a bit wrong, but I think I do quite a few nice things during my day and especially am polite to anyone when asking directions. So, if that were to happen to me, I might just accidentally give them the wrong directions, heh heh heh.
By the way, what do you all think about people calling you on the phone and asking for you before identifying themselves, or shall we save this for a separate thread?
posted on March 30, 2010
Ralph M Bohm
1438
I sometimes feel like a magnet for rude tourists who yell at me from the car as I walk in the cross walk. Of course I’m happy to provide directions, but the simple pleasures of helping others are often diminished when manners don’t frame the request.
posted on March 29, 2010
Daniel
1434