To my complete dismay, there doesn’t seem to be a particular group among us that has a lock on a demeanor that is not only disgusting, but also unnecessary. The standard “please” and “thank you” are disappearing from conversation at an alarming rate, but along with those time-honored words a general attitude of civility is waning and that should give each one of us pause.
A few days ago in a place far, far away (at least in terms of miles from home), I found myself face to face with a truly rude person. It always takes me aback to be in that spot, but what amazes me is that it happens more and more frequently.
I can’t be sure that I am correct in my assessment, but I do feel that this increase in bad behavior only reflects a larger problem among us today: the preoccupation with self. The “I” factor that rears its ugly head does nothing to elevate the one who parrots self-worth. In contrast, it speaks volumes about the one who places self above all else.
I found it much easier to allow this woman to make a fool of herself than to respond and get into a verbal sparring match. She certainly did a good job of showing her true personality. Yes, there were others present and after she left the venue, they bantered about and apologized to me for her. After all, I was a visitor to the area and she was a resident.
I wasn’t offended. Ignorance doesn’t offend me. It disgusts me, but it fails to offend me. I wondered, as she drove away in a very dirty car, if she had any friends at all. It would be difficult to forge a meaningful friendship with her social skills.
Do things get under my skin? Of course they do. The bottom line is how I react to them. Oh, I mutter great retorts to myself when alone after the attempted confrontation is a mere memory, but I never lower myself to spit back a nasty comment to anyone who has a mind (?) to act so rudely.
No doubt, you have been on the receiving end of a barb or two in the past. The only way you can distinguish yourself from the rude person is to react in a neutral way and let the words fall at your feet. That’s where they belong anyway. Train up your children and grandchildren to ignore rudeness. The only ammunition rude people have is to quote your response. Don’t give them the opportunity to make a fool of you. Take the high ground. Think about it.