Because No One Wants To Be Disliked
Life has an abundance of unspoken rules which we follow as people on Earth. These are things that keep society running like a well-oiled machine … although some would disagree. These simple acts of common courtesy will help you be less of a literal piece of trash and more of a functional member of society. And if you think any of these is too much to ask … well, you better take a good look in the mirror.
1. Pay Attention To Who You’re With
Let’s start with the easy stuff. STAY OFF YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU’RE OUT WITH PEOPLE! I don’t mean it the same way your mom says it. What I’m saying is when someone is talking to you or confiding in you — just put the phone down.
Although you may be listening, it really makes the other person feel awkward and uncomfortable. It probably comes off as if you’re disinterested in what they have to say or you don’t care about their problems. It’s like that quote from author Chuck Palahniuk, “People don’t listen, they just wait for their turn to talk.”
Bottom line … don’t be that person.
2. Be Courteous and Use Your Blinker
Look, driving is a piece of cake and we don’t doubt you know how to maneuver your own car. However, it’s easy to just show common courtesy to the other drivers around you. Believe it or not, the other people on the road have places to be also.
It’s alright to ignore your turn signals when no one is behind you or in the lane next to you. Just try not to make it a habit. Their purpose is to warn people what you’re about to do so they can keep themselves safe as well.
What if you and another driver both decide to switch into the same lane at the same time? If neither of you use your blinker, both of you figure it’s safe to go for it. Then you end up moving for the same spot at the same time because neither of you knew otherwise.
Bonus Tip: When turning into a parking lot from the main street, use your blinker to signal your turn. Not only will the car behind you know to slow down, the cars exiting parking lot will know it’s okay to pull out since you’re turning in anyway.
3. Please and Thank You Go A Long Way
This is something that should’ve been taught at a very young age. Simple manners can go a long way. Anytime you’re asking for anything or receiving something, just say ‘please‘ and ‘thank you‘.
You’ll look like a well-rounded person and earn yourself respect. Even if it’s just at the McDonald’s drive-thru, tell the cashier “please” after ordering and “thank you” before driving away. Their jobs aren’t great so a little politeness can brighten up their day.
4. Acknowledge Someone When They Greet You
We all know how annoying it can be when you go into a store and the employees bombard you with greetings and daily specials. That doesn’t mean that it’s okay to be rude. Just say “hello” or “thank you/no thanks” and move on. Completely ignoring them is incredibly rude and can make a person feel like trash.
And if we’re being honest … they wouldn’t bother you if they had a choice in the matter. Most of the time they’re only doing what they are forced to do. They know they’re being annoying … cut them some slack.
5. Stop Littering! Use A Trash Can
It is SO frustrating to see people littering for no reason in the year 2019. I used to work at a theme park that had a trash can placed every 10 feet just to keep people from littering. Did that stop them? No. People would throw their garbage on the floor all the time even though there was a trash can just steps away.
This goes for when you’re in your car as well. If you end up with trash such as a candy wrapper or plastic bag, just wait until you get to a trash can to throw it away. Why would you think it’s okay to just garbage out your window? It’s ignorant and completely unnecessary.
You don’t get to complain how shitty your town is if you’re contributing to said shittiness. Be the difference.
6. Have Integrity
What is integrity? Put simply, having integrity means you always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. Having integrity at the workplace can also go a long way. A manager knows that most employees are there just to make a paycheck. If you show that your job is more than just money, and that you actually give a damn, they will notice.
Integrity is what sets leaders apart from the rest of the crowd. Doing something without expecting anything in return shows good character.
7. Show Respect To All Working-Classes
Just because a person is flipping burgers for a living or working at your local department store does not mean that they are any less human than you. They’re just trying to make ends meet like the rest of us.
Talking down to low-wage workers says more about your character than it does about theirs. Most of them are going to school or working multiple jobs to support themselves or their families. Don’t be a difficult customer or person who belittles someone based on their job title. They don’t owe you anything. Which brings me to …
8. Never Think You Are Owed Anything in This Life
Just like showing respect to low-wage workers, you shouldn’t expect to have special treatment for any reason at all. Even if you are an important member of society or you have been going to a certain store for ten years. You are still a person the same as everyone else.
Yes, it’s nice when your loyalty or status earns you perks, but it’s not up to you to say where or when you get those perks. If the line at Wal-Mart is taking a long time, suck it up! You have to wait just like everyone else. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been shopping there for thirty years.
Be grateful when you are given preferred treatment anywhere, but never expect anything more from anyone … unless you’re paying for it.
