by Jen Harley

Created on: September 03, 2008   Last Updated: September 05, 2008

I don't know which is worse, the rudeness some people display or the people who let this behavior happen. Some people go so far as to make excuses for other's poor behavior. There is no excuse for the rudeness many people show others. I don't know how many times I've offered, as wel as seen others offer, a nice gesture to someone in public only to have a glare or nasty comment uttered back in return. Whether you're shopping, enjoying an outing with friends or family, or even taking care of business issues, rudeness has definitely hit a new peak.

How many times have you been shopping and when you reach for an item, someone rushes in, invades your personal space and reaches right in front of you to grab something? They don't say excuse me and most of the time you get a sigh or an eye roll as if to say that you are the wrong person. I used to quickly move and let the person have the space but I'm so tired of letting people get away with this kind of behavior. Anymore I just say, "You're excused." and stay where I am. Why should I have to move for some who will have their chance to stand where I am in about three seconds?

More often than not I come across people who don't bother to hold doors for others. There's always that one person in a crowd who will keep on walking and let a door slam in another's face. I've even seen people do this to others who have their hands full and can't get the door themselves. It goes as far as some who seem to be above holding an elevator door open for families with strollers. Are some that selfish and inconsiderate now? I wasn't brought up that way, I was raised to respect others. I would like to think that respect also includes lending a helping hand to those in some need.

Rudeness in businesses is just inexcusable. How many times have you had to contact a business only to have an employee sigh loudly, roll their eyes, act like you are bothering them? I think some businesses forget that we call because we are in need of assistance. I've had problems where I've needed to call companies for help and sometimes I get some nasty customer service. I've gone so far as to tell a few people that I'm sorry I'm bothering them.

We don't ask for much in life, I think some forget that you get the respect you give others. Hopefully one day some of the more selfish people we encounter will get the hint that it is indeed true that you catch more flies with honey.

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