Top 10 Common Courtesies

Today, I began my morning driving by the little league field on Westmore Drive. There, huddled together in the corner of the dirt parking area were no less than 12 abandoned shopping carts. Some were full of fallen oak leaves, others were filled with discarded newspapers and trash. As I loaded them into the back of my truck to return them to their rightful owners, I wondered who was at fault for this blight on our community. Is it the store owners and managers for not controlling their property? Is it the homeless that use them for transporting their personal belongings from safe place to place? Or is it the uninformed individuals that think it is alright to use the carts to take their groceries to the bus stop and just leave the carts there for some one else to come and pick them up?

It seems to me that a lot of residents are not happy with the misuse of the carts, but no one really has an idea of how to stop it from continuing. The store owners can’t or won’t prosecute violators, since in essence they are their customers. There is actually a group that will come out and pick up the carts when you call their number, but they only retrieve carts that participate in their program which pays them to return the abandoned carts. Not all stores participate. Should there be fines imposed for violators? Who should be held responsible, the stores that provide the carts to their customers or the people who take them off of the store’s property? Sorry about the rant, but this is a major concern, and I for one would like to see something done about this. So the Top 10 list for today will be the ten common courtesies we most often violate.

1. Taking shopping carts away from the store’s property. They are there for you to use while you shop, then to load your car with your purchases. If you don’t have a vehicle, you should provide your own method to get your groceries home. You should also have the common courtesy to return the carts to the nearest cart rack in the parking lot. Don’t block a parking space because you are too lazy to walk 30 feet to put it back.

2. Don’t snack on food that you have not purchased in the grocery store. Especially if there are bulk bins that you fill your own container. If everyone takes a few as a sample, the loss is then passed on to the consumer. Not to mention the sanitary issues.

3. Let someone in when two lanes merge into one. I know you are in a hurry. I am too. We all know that the lanes are going to merge, just follow the example of the car ahead of you and when it is your turn, let the next guy in. It is also nice to acknowledge this act of kindness with the courtesy wave of thanks. Now you both get to continue to sit in traffic, but at least you are in a better mood.

4. Open the door for someone else. If you are going in and you see someone behind you, stop and hold the door open for them. In return, they should let you go ahead of them in line since you were there first. It is customary to hold it for the next person, then they take over for those behind them. There is a difference between being courteous and being taken for granted. Just because you have good manners doesn’t mean you have to be stuck holding the door for everyone in line.

5. Turn off your cell phone while with friends in public places. Have we all lost our minds when it comes to using cell phones in public? No, it is not alright to talk to your friends while in line at the Home Depot. Your time is no more important than mine is to me. If you are out with friends to a restaurant, let the mailbox get your message and return the call after you are finished. Have a little respect for the people you are with. Have a little more for those around you that don’t want to hear about your private life while waiting to pay for their things in line.

6. If you have to chew gum, please keep it in your mouth. No one likes to watch you chew like a cow (ever see Britney Spears talk in public?) and when you are done, don’t discard it onto the ground or under a table. If you have ever worked in a restaurant, and cleaning the bottom of chairs and tables was your side work, you know what I am talking about.

7. Don’t litter. That should be enough said, but I will expand on this just a bit. Anyone who grew up in the 70’s can remember the image of the American Indian sitting on a horse looking at the littered country side with a single tear falling down his cheek. Still, every day people toss candy wrappers, cigarette butts, orange peels, and more out of their car windows and think the wind magically makes them disappear. It doesn’t.

8. Don’t boo the opposing team, and watch your language in public. Most often these two go hand in hand at sporting events. I am all for rooting for your team, but if the other guys make a great play, it won’t hurt you to acknowledge it. High five the fan rooting for the other team. Friendly rivalries are a lot better than the hate fests that turn into brawls. Also, watch the foul language. Most kids hear these words from their parents, that is why they say when the child curses, slap the parent.

9. If you are a smoker, that is your choice. Be considerate of others and try to avoid blowing smoke in the direction of others. Smoke only in designated areas, and use ashtrays or receptacles to get rid of your butts. The ground is not your ashtray.

10. Try to say Please and Thank You every chance you get. Smile, and say hello to one another. I used to teach the 3 foot rule to my employees. If you are within 3 feet of someone, you should smile, make eye contact, and say hello or have a nice day. It doesn’t cost you anything, and the rewards you get are ten-fold.

That is my list, and I hope you agree with some of them. Use it as a quick reminder, or a tool to teach your kids. Respect goes a long way, but first you must respect yourself. I have a simple rule that I live by, and that is this: Every day when you wake up, you can choose to have a great day or not. It is up to you. I’m not saying nothing bad will happen, but you can deal with it. If you put yourself in a positive mindframe, having a great day is easy. Now just go out and do it.