jtnt://life/unedited

Excuuuse meeee!

Why can't people just say "excuse me?" They don't anymore. I don't know why. They try to squeeze by you, contorting themselves so as to not alert you to their presence. But you always know they're there. Just say excuse me!

And when people do say excuse me, it seems that more often than not it is in a tone that suggests that you are the one in their way. It's more of a, "Move, buddy" than anything else.

This relates to my observance that people don't blink their lights while on the highway to get a slower vehicle to move over out of the fast lane. They prefer to tailgate you or just whiz by you, passing on the right (another pet peeve), which just causes further traffic problems.

Simply blink your lights twice very quickly, so as to not just be blind-lighting the person in front, and wait a few seconds. If they don't move, repeat. If they still don't see you, your only choice is to pass them on the right at that point, but at least give them the chance to move on their own.

I could start a whole traffic-related pet peeves weblog, but I think about it enough when I'm on the road, I don't have the energy to rehash my frustrations once I get home.

Another simple act that would improve the general state of the world is if more people would hold doors open for others more often. And I'm not just talking about for elderly men or pregnant women. Hold a door open for a perfectly healthy, middle-aged man and see how you feel. It feels good. And it feels even better on the off chance that the recipient of your simple act of kindness actually says, "Thank you."

It all boils down to being more considerate. Everyday and in all situations. The world would be a better place if we all took our mother's advice to say, "Please," "Thank you," and "Excuse me" when warranted.