How Bitter This Rudeness!

Truly, if there is one thing that will do me in, it could very well be the lack of manners in the world today.
Just a few days ago, I drove downtown to watch the fireworks display our city was hosting. As I drove along Main Street listening to the popping and cracking of the show, I suddenly became aware someone was shouting STOP! I slammed on my brakes and came to a stop only to find there were two women and a child in the street on the crosswalk. It was dark, they were dressed in dark clothes and I admittedly didn't see them. Still, I noticed I was the only car for a few blocks so they could easily have waited ten seconds or so and then passed. They appeared to be very angry. Why? Perhaps they had waited for numerous cars before me and no one had stopped? In any case, I always stop for people in crosswalks and would certainly have stopped sooner had I seen them.

This is just a small example of the in your face type of rudeness I see very very often. The world seems to be getting more and more rude. What ever happened to good old fashioned please and thank you and smiles and consideration? Can we revive the virtue of selflessness? I surely hope so. I refuse to let all of the rude people make me rude. I will smile and turn the other cheek first. I will teach my people manners. Following the code.