Are manners that expensive?
You would think after almost 5 years in this "place" (I refuse to call it a city) I would be used to the utter lack of and disregard for common courtesy and manners. But I'm not.
ANd I don't think I'll ever be used to people standing there staring at my head, waiting for me to move instead of them politely saying "excuse me." I'll never get used to the same people getting all pissed off when you state the obvious.
I'll never get used to living somewhere that has drivers who think cyclists belong on the sidewalk, or who get mad and CHASE said cyclist down after they have been given the finger for nearly running over said cyclist because they were NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION.
I'll never get used to living somewhere that contains people who, despite being faced with FOUR, count them FOUR DOORS, need to go through the one I'm struggling to get the kids and a stroller through. I love how they stand and sigh, and do nothing to use the other door, let alone help.
I'll never get used to living somewhere which has people who rarely say please or thank you, or who block aisles and get mad at the people trying, politely, to get through. I'll never get used to living in a place that is treated like a garbage can. I've never lived anywhere, including Toronto, that has so much garbage strewn about. I guess people here just don't care.
I'll never get used to living somewhere that will never admit that it's not some pinnacle of maritme friendliness. Because since ther first day we moved here, we've had more people be ignorant or blatantly rude than we ever had anywhere we've ever been. Of course there are good people here. I just never see them in public. But everyone seems to act like it's ok here, because "it's the city"
NEWSFLASH-most cities are GREAT places to live with occasional encounters with jerks. NOT the other way around like here.
I try very hard to set an example for my children on how to act in public towards others, saying excuse me, thank you, saying hello, being NICE. It's difficult to do when I spend my time in public wanting to scream obscenities at people. But I still try. I hold doors, I say thanks, excuse me, all that good stuff, I'm nice, in the vain attempt to get people to replicate my behaviour.
Not that it seems to help.
It's so bloody frustrating, and ultimately sad, to live in a place where it is blatantly obvious that people don't seem to care about others. AND don't seem to have a grasp of how to drive.
ANd I don't think I'll ever be used to people standing there staring at my head, waiting for me to move instead of them politely saying "excuse me." I'll never get used to the same people getting all pissed off when you state the obvious.
I'll never get used to living somewhere that has drivers who think cyclists belong on the sidewalk, or who get mad and CHASE said cyclist down after they have been given the finger for nearly running over said cyclist because they were NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION.
I'll never get used to living somewhere that contains people who, despite being faced with FOUR, count them FOUR DOORS, need to go through the one I'm struggling to get the kids and a stroller through. I love how they stand and sigh, and do nothing to use the other door, let alone help.
I'll never get used to living somewhere which has people who rarely say please or thank you, or who block aisles and get mad at the people trying, politely, to get through. I'll never get used to living in a place that is treated like a garbage can. I've never lived anywhere, including Toronto, that has so much garbage strewn about. I guess people here just don't care.
I'll never get used to living somewhere that will never admit that it's not some pinnacle of maritme friendliness. Because since ther first day we moved here, we've had more people be ignorant or blatantly rude than we ever had anywhere we've ever been. Of course there are good people here. I just never see them in public. But everyone seems to act like it's ok here, because "it's the city"
NEWSFLASH-most cities are GREAT places to live with occasional encounters with jerks. NOT the other way around like here.
I try very hard to set an example for my children on how to act in public towards others, saying excuse me, thank you, saying hello, being NICE. It's difficult to do when I spend my time in public wanting to scream obscenities at people. But I still try. I hold doors, I say thanks, excuse me, all that good stuff, I'm nice, in the vain attempt to get people to replicate my behaviour.
Not that it seems to help.
It's so bloody frustrating, and ultimately sad, to live in a place where it is blatantly obvious that people don't seem to care about others. AND don't seem to have a grasp of how to drive.
Amen. I have only lived in the US, but I have lived in many states, Wisconsin, Mighigan, Illinois, and now Ohio. I feel the same way about Ohio, it's not only the rudeness factor here, it's the STUPID factor. Like slow,redneck, born- in- a- barn(literally),I- don't- give- a- shheeeett- about- anyone, I- am- totally- unaware-of-my-surroundings, SCARY type of stupidity. Rude stares, no manners, bad drivers, you name it, STUPID Ohio has it.
So, in short, I feel you. I really do.
Posted by
Anonymous |
3:36 p.m.
It's changed in the years I've lived here.
Nevertheless, I'm still courteous and so are the kids.
I do it for me, not other people.
Posted by
Anonymous |
4:07 p.m.
Magdalena-that's pretty much exactly it. Stupidity drives me insane. I don't mind plain old oops, but I've seen FAR too many cases where it's blatant. My PERSONAL favorite is the assmonkey who took the time to write a letter to the editor saying that "parking spaces for pregnant women are stupid, since doctors say pregnant women should get exercise."
OBVIOUSLY, someone has never been pregnant and had their hips loosen, or had a week old baby screaming in the store. What really kills me is that I have yet to see someone, other than myself when pregnant, park in those spots. Hmmmm...
Ahem Granny. I feel better when I'm nice to people, even when they don't deserve it.
Posted by
thordora |
6:21 p.m.
Yup yup yup....
Its just getting worse. I make the Rugrat say her pleases and thank yous, everyone comments on how polite she is. Many of her cohorts I swear wouldn't know a P or Q if it bit them in the ass.
I'm like you though, I am considerite for ME. I am always opening doors for people, saying thank you to those that do and making sure that people...when considerate are thanked.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:15 p.m.
I just started reading your blog, and thus have no clue where you live. I can't help but wonder if you are in the US. I am American, and am living in Canada. I really do find folks to be more polite here. So sorry you are dealing with ill-mannered idiots!
Posted by
Anonymous |
1:56 p.m.
Sadly, I'm in New Brunswick. I grew up in Ontario, and spent a fair amount of time in real cities, and never, ever had it this bad.
Almost everywhere else I've been in Canada, people have been great. I think it's something in the water here. Hell, they can't even stop arguing about who's job it it to put up signs so tourists don't get lost. So this is the life here.
Posted by
thordora |
2:33 p.m.
I didn't know you lived in DC!!! ;)
I can't decide who pisses me off more -- people who clog up any and all available walking space or people who clog up any and all available driving space. Either way, they're self-absorbed retards that could care less about what goes on in anyone else's world but their own.
I would go on but you've pretty much spelled everything out in your post.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:34 p.m.