Common Courtesy

In a recent video from the Fox Business Network Millennials ‘destroying’ core beer brands: ‘Bar Rescue’s’ Jon Taffer there was an interesting discussion near the end. During approximately the last two minutes of the video the panel got into a discussion about courtesy. The point they were making is that people are loosing their sense of courtesy on airplanes and that there were too many animals, specifically dogs, on airplanes. It used to be called common courtesy but over the years it seems to be less and less common. This lack of courtesy isn't limited to airplanes.

Where I notice it most is driving. Many drivers seem to have the attitude that them reaching their destination is far more important than anyone else reaching theirs. These drivers may drive to the front of a turn only lane and cut in front of a line of cars rather than waiting like everyone else. It might also include weaving in an out of interstate traffic in a dangerous manner putting everyone in the other cars around them at risk.

There is a lot of road construction around the city I live in with a significant amount of it being on the main routes through town. As a result everyone has learned many of the side streets that traditionally had less traffic. Recently on one of these side streets I was waiting in line to go through a stop sign when I saw a semi-truck trying to make a right turn. On this small street the semi needed all of the intersection to make his turn. While in line I watched three cars in front of me completely ignore the truck driver, who had the right of way, to make their way through through the intersection. I stopped far enough back to allow space for the truck, letting the driver finally make his right turn. When he got beside me, he stopped long enough to thank me, keeping his frustration with the other drivers in check.

Another frequent instance is people waiting at stop lights and texting, when the light changes their text must be far more important than the flow of traffic. They remain completely oblivious to the rest of the world sitting at the front of a line of traffic wanting to get through the green light. Then when you sound your horn to wake them up they normally make an obscene hand gesture at you for disturbing them.

A friend of mine who is a fireman regularly tells different stories of people ignoring the lights, sirens, and horns on the firetruck because they are in their own little world. They are oblivious to the fact that their own little world could be putting someone's life in danger, not only in traffic but also at the location of whoever needed assistance from the fireman. Another friend who is a police officer regularly tells stories about how stupid people can be. He maintains that there should be a way to get a permit that would allow someone to shoot one of these stupid people each month. Although drastic, I do agree we need a way to put these stupid people out of our misery.

How about we all try, when we are in public, to show a little courtesy to those around us. Whether you're driving, on an airplane or simply walking down a street. If you have some of the habits discussed above and the reason is because you are always late getting somewhere, here's a idea.......LEAVE EARLIER!