Everyone, myself included is often in a rush. We lead busy lives, and are perpetually trying to get from place to place in the shortest possible time. Maybe this is why people often seem so irritated with each other. People risk their lives overtaking one car just to get to their destination slightly more quickly, and if someone holds them up for 2 seconds they are on their hooter giving them what for. A couple of weeks ago, I drove the wrong way around a car park to grab a space I had seen, after all I was irritated by the 5 minutes or so I had spent queuing to get in with all the other Christmas shoppers. But this did not prepare me for the mouthful of abuse I received from a probably otherwise pleasant lady who considered I had stolen her space. If you get called a selfish b****, you could see how someone could get into even more of an argument, which I am pleased to report I didn’t.

Yesterday though I was struck not once but twice just how rude people can be, and without provocation too. The first was while I accompanied hubby to the Dr’s surgery and I witnessed 3 consecutive people being rude and short with a perfectly pleasant and accommodating receptionist. Yet no one was being made to wait, the lady who was at the wrong branch of the surgery was advised that she would ring ahead to tell of the reason for the delay and the lady being asked to complete a survey was only being asked for her opinion on her doctor and his services and being asked nicely at that. Once in the office (not my usual current base but the one I will soon be moving to) I was struck by the way people just chat amongst themselves and carry on with their own lives and do nothing to welcome a stranger, even one who has been turning up reasonably regularly lately and who is cheerful and who says hello and goodbye though doesn’t muscle in on their conversation. Once you have sat in an almost full office being ignored for about 3 hours then it is time to go and that is what I did.

Politeness and friendliness costs nothing, particularly when you haven’t had someone grab ‘your’ car park space, and even then you don’t have to swear!