Living in London can mean that a person becomes immured
to everyday rudeness and unpleasantness.
Most of us at some point will encounter Mr. or Ms. Rude when travelling on the Tube.
It's pretty much a given.
Last week, however, I encountered Ms. Rude on the school run.
I won't bore you with the details of what exactly transpired between us,
but suffice to say, within 20 seconds I had been called a cow
and a rude middle-aged woman.
{Let me tell you, I was more offended by being called middle-aged ...}
She, by the way, was probably in her early twenties
and had no compulsion in insulting me in front of The Boy Child,
who was left wide-eyed and clinging to my hand.
She failed to see the irony of me pointing out that she was the one using unpleasant language.
When he'd recovered, The Boy Child gallantly offered to call the police
and have her arrested.
If only.
The reason for telling you this story is because I'm left wondering
what's happened to every day good manners and politeness?
I can be direct, but I never deliberately set out to be rude.
I hold doors open for people.
I give up my seat to anyone who looks more in need.
I say please and thank you.
People tell me that I'm old-fashioned.
Like that's a bad thing.
But it can't just be me, can it?
Discuss.
Further reading: Jaime from
Angloyankophile has two excellent posts worthy of a read:
