Pain in the Ass #11 - well, actually L2-4 and the sacroiliac joint/tailbone...

I've noticed that there is this epidemic spreading throughout Barrie (I'm sure it's everywhere, really).  It's devastating and quite frankly a tough one to beat.  It's called Rudeness.  The most common symptoms include, ignoring/staring through people as though they don't exist or not saying a simple ' thank you '. It also causes the inability to hold doors open and somehow makes people push ahead, by either butting in or actually physically shoving someone out of the way.

I'm baffled, honestly.  I was raised to use my manners and to respect my elders.  To this very day I still have great respect for my elders, unless of course they've proved unworthy of it - and even still, I wont go out of my way to be disrespectful.  I just avoid those people if I can, OR just keep my mouth shut.  Of course, that depends on the situation (for example, the old guy who parked in the "Expectant mother" parking spot when I was VERY pregnant with my son.  I unleashed some nasty pregnant woman power that day - and  needless to say, he moved his car... and I'd be surprised if he ever pulls a stunt like that again).

Mr. Rude (from the Mr. Men books).

I've made sure that my son uses his manners.  And I know for a fact, anyone who has met my son, is impressed with his manners, and his respect for his elders.  In fact, when my son was visiting my sister in Canton last year, he wanted to get my sister's attention for something, and he said quite politely "Excuse me, Aunt Heather...".  Her sister-in-law apparently thought that was the cutest and most incredible thing ever - as though she'd never seen an interaction like that before.  That made me so proud of my runt...so incredibly proud, cause that's how I'm raising him - to be a polite little boy, who respects people.

As I said, I'm baffled.  People are just so.incredibly.rude.  I can't get over it.  Today for instance, I had to go to the bank.  As I was hobbling out, I went to push the door open and this jerk grabs the handle, yanks it, and pushes past me.  Of course, me not having a filter from brain-to-mouth currently, I never hesitated to say 'Thank you... dumb ass'.  He just glared at me and proceeded on his way.  I'm one of those people who will let others in ahead of me, whether it be in a store, or while driving - and if someone lets me in, I make sure they know that I'm grateful for that gesture... even when in the car I wave and say 'thank you'.  Gabriel thinks that's hilarious - as he puts it "Mom, why do you do that?? You know they can't hear you, right???"  I always explain to him, and remind him of the "do unto other's" philosophy.  You can't expect anyone to be nice to you if you're not nice to them.  I also realize there are people out there that are just plain mean and nasty.  But, in general - I believe in that philosophy. 

However... have you ever noticed that some of the rudest people get all pissy when someone isn't nice to them? I've had the misfortune of working with the public pretty much all of my working life.  It's the meanest, nastiest people that demand the greatest effort as though they've somehow earned it, but wont hesitate to turn around and treat others like the crud you find on the bottom of a shoe. 

Is it really that hard to be nice? Does it really take that much effort to be polite and say "thank you" ?!?!  People are so self absorbed that they don't care what happens around them.  Granted, I have my bad days - we all do.  But my day isn't so bad, that if someone does something nice for me, that I can't muster a few words of gratitude.  Usually, when someone does something for me when I'm having a bad day - it brightens my day (likely out of shock).  I think we all need to make more of an effort to be nice to others, we also need to make a bigger effort to encourage that behaviour in our kids. There are some nasty kids out there that will mouth off at adults, who also have the attitude that they can do what ever in the Hell they want, and what are you going to do about it?? (some of which live on my street and honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to run a particular red-haired-little-shit over with my car if given the opportunity - don't think I've missed the irony of that statement.  I'm talking about treating others with respect, and setting an example for our kids with our own behaviour - but you really have to meet this kid.  Like, really... *take a deep breath, Ruth... there you go... it's ok...deep breath*).

Seriously, folks - you think elder abuse is bad now?? Wait till our kids are out there in a world that has turned away from manners and respect - think about it for a while, ponder it.  Then get your butts out there and teach your kids to treat others (with respect and consideration) as they want to be treated, and to use their manners.  Maybe the older folk will pick up on this and try it out - who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks, eh?

OH... one more thing... Please and thank you.  Can't be forgetting my manners now, can I? ;^)