Kid stuff…with an adult vocabulary.
October 19, 2009
St. Charles County, MO
by Kris Kolk
Right here in St. Charles County, it’s happening:
Someone parks their cart in the middle of the grocery aisle so other shoppers can’t pass;
Someone steals a turn at a stop sign;
Someone talks on a cell phone instead of addressing the cashier at the checkout;
Someone does not thank a waitperson while being served;
Someone does not return an informal good-will smile;
Someone parks in a no-parking area.
The list of offenses goes on, but you get the idea. People are so absorbed with their own lives, or their own self worth, or something…they simply will not acknowledge others.
It’s intriguing because most of the offenders are nicely dressed, otherwise seemingly successful people, yet they have not conquered that basic life skill—manners.
Perhaps they’ve bought into the reality TV trash attitude best summed up by a “celebrity” who recently said, “Yeah, I’m a _____ and I’m proud of it.” Isn’t that a lovely demeanor? Are we supposed to admire and emulate this woman as she gives no regard for others? Please.
Apparently she and those like her have been misled into thinking that the way to get ahead is to tromp on pesky “other people” because they have the nerve to exist. Others are the competition. Others are in the way. Others must be crushed.
I would tell that reality TV woman, “Oh, honey, that barbaric attitude is so history. Get with the now.”
Though countless marketing sources recite the “it’s all about you” mantra, it’s really not. We need to GROW UP.
Cooperation is the new competition. We must learn to get along, share and respect each other.
If we cannot relate with civility to one another over the little things, how in the world are we going to relate to each other during the big things?
We mustn’t let the invasion of alpha-dogging poison our community. Refuse to participate. If someone is wetting their pants to arrive first at the stop light, let them.
Smile. Wave. Open a door for someone. It’s difficult when friendly gestures aren’t returned, but we must pervade. Have patience, for they need to be shown the way.
This is a matter of extreme importance to our community. I hope you’ll help.
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
