<Rant> Where has courtesy gone?

[BlackSilver]

You have my vote Hijinks. I agree.

Recent events placed me in the position of using crutches and most recently a cane. I am not very big (5’4” and just over a 110 pounds), more often then not people would see me coming and hold the door for me. Saying thank you was a must (for me), and everyone I spoke to smiled or said something in kind.

We are in a hurry, the citizens of this nation (USA), its because we are chasing something that we can never catch enough of (the all mighty dollar). It’s a pretty lame excuse, but it is the truth (at least in my mind). Those that live their lives happily- for whatever reason (being in love, enjoying what life has dealt them or what have you), tend to be much more polite and kind (in my experience).

Something I do not recall reading in this thread is simply this- smile at people, nod to them when you can’t say hello, say hello to them as you walk past. Only a few times have I regretted saying something to someone (guys looking for a little action seem to think the word “hello,” also means “take me to your bed.”)

We are in a position to change our world, be as kind as you can be and the person that you want to be and not the person that people perceive you to be by your outward appearance.

To those of you that give blood (Harmon mentioned it)- thank you. I received some this last year, without donators I might not have made it or perhaps I would have and it just would have taken me longer to recover. If you have never given blood it only hurts a little and they give you cake afterwards or cookies.

Harmon, I am doing better, thank you for asking. I am sorry about your friend, it’s a sad thing when a friendship dissolves, leave your heart open and maybe….

 

[Dakkareth]

<Rant> Where has courtesy gone?

And the end of the world is near!

 

[Angel Tarragon]

<Rant> Where has courtesy gone?

Out the window I guess.

 

[Aeolius]

Can I add a rant here, about the brainless idiots who park illegally in handicap-designated parking spaces? (This means you too, Mr. motorcycle parking in the striped loading zone between spaces marked for the handicapped) If I knew I could get away with it, I would shoot such people on sight. As it stands, I have jammed chewing gum into their doorhandles and spit on their moped seats.

In a month, I will be taking a class offered by the police, which will enable me to write tickets to these pathetic losers.

Have a nice day.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Bah, North Carolina ain't south. Damn yankee.

Bite me, redneck!

 

[Darth K'Trava]

And the end of the world is near!

.....But do we feel fine?

 

[Angel Tarragon]

.....But do we feel fine?

at peace at least.

 

[Umbran]

It might be a little rude, but it might help him to understand that you are perceiving him as being rude; he might not understand what he is doing is rude.

In this case, it could also be a matter of pride. Some disabled folks feel weakened every time they have to recognize that they aren't the same as everyone else. Admitting that your help is useful is, to some, an admission that they are "less of a person".

This may seem dumb, from the outside. But how would you feel if you were reminded that your body was broken every time you had to go through a doorway? These folks are forced to live in a world that really isn't built for them, in which discrimination due to their conditions is rampant. Salvaging a little pride may be kind of necessary for some of them.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Something I do not recall reading in this thread is simply this- smile at people, nod to them when you can’t say hello, say hello to them as you walk past. Only a few times have I regretted saying something to someone (guys looking for a little action seem to think the word “hello,” also means “take me to your bed.”)

I mentioned in my post how many people actively avoid eye contact so they won't feel like they should say hello or nod or acknowledge your existence. I often say hello or nod to people I pass when walking - it really freaks some people out.

To those of you that give blood (Harmon mentioned it)- thank you. I received some this last year, without donators I might not have made it or perhaps I would have and it just would have taken me longer to recover. If you have never given blood it only hurts a little and they give you cake afterwards or cookies.

You are welcome. I can almost set my watch by the Red Cross calling me for another appointment. They love my O negative blood more than the mosquitos do.

 

[Harmon]

This may seem dumb, from the outside. But how would you feel if you were reminded that your body was broken every time you had to go through a doorway?

Actually it doesn't. At the end of '99 I was pretty serioulsy injured on the job. Nine monthes later I returned to work, still injured- work comp said I was good to go. Nine months or so later my injured arm gave out completely. I spent two years trying to recover.

My pride was bent and eventually broken in half, by the knowledge that I could no longer do all the things I wanted to do and things I could not do.

I was lucky to find someone that could get me back into shape, get things moving for me again, but I gained a lot from the experience. I feel for the disabled, esp those that will never recover, that do not have that option.

A simple thank you for opening a door should not be a pride breaker, its a courtesy. Hijinks mentioned that the wheel chair bound man some times runs people down in narrow hallways, should that be consider rude? I think yes, does it rob him to not do that? It sounds pretty sadistic to me that he would do that.

I am with Hijinks- no one deserves to be in a wheel chair, but he should not use that as an excuse to be rude.