Manners are really just ways to show other people respect. When you show someone respect, they feel good, and when people feel good, they aren’t as likely to be rude. Each of these ten items is a small change in behavior that can make the world a slightly less ruder place.
Thank you.
1) Get Rid of All Rude Garden Gnomes
Since garden gnomes often tend to be a symbol of rudeness and it’s one of the easiest things to get rid of, we’ll start with this. There is nothing more infuriating than approaching a house and seeing a garden gnome sitting on the porch or hanging from the mailbox. The owner may never know how many people chose not to ring their doorbell because they didn’t want to endure seeing that ugly statue.
I will begin by removing all the rude garden gnomes from my own property and hope that others around me do so as well!
2) Stop Using the Word ‘Sorry’ As a Synonym for ‘Excuse Me.’
Just like “thank you,” if someone says they’re sorry when someone else bumps into them or knocks over their coffee, it makes them seem like they don’t think they did anything wrong. Saying “excuse me” acknowledges that the person making the mess should apologize; saying sorry avoids that responsibility.
If we stop using the word sorry as a synonym for excuse me, it will be one less thing people can use to avoid apologizing and make other people feel like they don’t matter.
3) Don’t Do Things Without Being Asked
Sure, the bus is crowded and your coworker needs to get to their desk, but if someone hasn’t specifically told you they need something from you or asked you to do something for them, don’t do it. Just like at a restaurant when someone comes up and takes your plate while you’re still eating, doing things without being asked is the opposite of respect.
4) Don’t Spill Out of a Crowded Elevator Before Allowing Other People to Exit
It’s frustrating to be stuck in a crowded elevator with people who live by this rule, especially when you need to get out and they’ve been blocking your exit the whole time. Let other people off first. It’s kind of like if The Flash (a comic book character) had to wait for every other pedestrian before saving someone who was about to get hit by a car, and all the while The Flash could see that the pedestrian would be fine if he took another two seconds to make sure everyone was off the street first.
5) Tell Others Not to Buy Rude Garden Gnomes
This one is a freebie because if even one person decides not to purchase a garden gnome, it would be worth it.
The demand for garden gnomes would decrease, and the companies that produce them would stop producing them. Again, it’s something you can do while not hurting anyone else.
6) Don’t Talk About Others Behind Their Backs
Other people might not know that you’re talking about them when you do it, but that’s no excuse. Just like wearing a shirt with someone else’s name on it might seem like a funny joke, but in reality it just makes the person whose name is on the shirt feel bad. Stop talking about other people behind their backs.
7) Don’t Yell at People Through a Closed Door
This is another one that might seem harmless to the person yelling, but it has an impact on everyone involved. It’s just like if you were in your room and someone was outside your door and they kept opening it and shutting it again before you could get dressed. It would be incredibly rude—the person is forcing you to change in front of them or risk being seen without clothes on.
8) Join National Protests Against Rude Garden Gnomes
Although I do my best to avoid rude garden gnomes, it’s important to fight them when we see them. Starting this Sunday, September 12th is the national protest against rude garden gnomes and anyone can participate by removing at least one from their property.
The more people who protest against these statues, the less they will be seen—and maybe one day we can stop them from being made all together.
National protests obviously aren’t something that happen every day, but even if you can’t do this, sharing articles about national protests against garden gnomes would be a good start.
9) Give the Right of Way to People Who Aren’t in a Rush
Like when you’re walking down the street and someone who wants to get by asks if they can take your spot, giving other people the right of way is something we should all do more often. If you don’t want to stand in a crowded subway car, you should let people who do get off. If you’re in a grocery store and someone is trying to get through, step aside and let them pass. Basically, if it’s not a race, allow other people to proceed before you.
10) Adopt the 10 Second Rule for Compliments
If someone gives you a compliment, say thank you, smile, and keep walking. Don’t say anything else—especially not something like, “Oh this old thing?” or “I’ve had it forever.”
Just like when someone holds open a door for you or gives up their seat on the train, saying thank you is the obvious response. Even if you’re wearing that same dress every day, it’s not okay to say anything other than thank you when someone says they like it.
With that, I’m finishing up my list of ways we can prevent the spread of rudeness. Don’t forget to join the protest against garden gnomes this Sunday!
Leave a Comment