I loathe rude people.
Not just rude people, but inconsiderate people as well. My gears really start grinding when there is an inconsiderate, rude person.
That type of person can just ruin my whole day.
Living in the South, you would think people would have more manners and consideration for other people. Well, since I have been at Augusta State University, I have found this to be one of the breeding grounds for inconsiderate, rude people.
I don’t know what it is, but a lot of students here just don’t have manners.
For example, on Wednesday morning, I was walking to Allgood Hall, and there were a couple of people behind me.
I stood and waited for them to get close to the door, holding it open for them because this is just the type thing kind people do.
They proceeded to walk in behind me, and I walked toward my destination.
What is missing from the above story? No one said “thank-you.”
I had lost seven seconds of my life just to be nice to someone, and I didn’t even get a thank-you.
How rude!
That same exact day – two hours later – I was in University Hall waiting on the elevator.
When the elevator finally came, I walked in but heard someone running down the hall, so I politely held the doors open for her.
When standing in an elevator, the first person who walks in usually stands next to the buttons and asks other passengers what floor they are going to, so that the first occupant can press the button for the other occupants, right?
Well, I asked my fellow passenger what floor she was going to, and she did not answer. Instead, she proceeded to cross her arm in front of me and press the button for the second floor.
How rude!
Am I being too sensitive? I don’t think I am.
How hard is it to tell someone “thanks” for picking up a book that you dropped or to acknowledge the person who asked you a question and is trying to help you? It isn’t.
So, why aren’t people practicing kindness on this campus?
I am sure I am not the only person who has been a victim of this irritating phenomenon. This is supposed to be the friendliest region in the United States of America!
I figured chivalry was dead, but I didn’t think “Southern hospitality” was also.
So now, I am going to issue a challenge to you.
Next time someone does something nice for you, don’t forget how simple it is to let that person know you appreciate their gesture.
Maybe you can even take the initiative and “pay it forward.”
Let’s try and resurrect the concept of “Southern hospitality.” It doesn’t take much.