As A Matter Of Fact, I Do Have All Day

Common courtesy is officially dead.  It died, yesterday morning around 10:30am.  It was MURDERED by the convenience store clerk and the guy in line in front of me.  Common courtesy was born a long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away and prospered through much of the early 20th century.   Common courtesy fell out of the mainstream in the 60′s but showed resurgence in the late 80′s and early 90′s.  With the popularity of gangsta-rap and the Jerry Springer Show, common courtesy again faded from view as the new millenium arrived.  In lieu of flowers, please hold the door for the next person you encounter at your favorite store or restaurant. 

You know, I don’t mind when casual clerk/customer banter goes on during the purchase, but once your purchase is final, hit the door!  I know that you’re dying to tell this clerk that you’ve known all of 2 visits about your cat’s colonoscopy, but shouldn’t you take him to dinner first?  Or, maybe learn his last name?  Or how about you, Ms. “Can you check my 27 lotto tickets to see if they’re winners”, do you really think that Friday night at 5:17pm is the best time to check those tickets?  Can’t you see the 8 people in line behind you?  Did you forget about the 6 people that were in line in front of you just a minute ago? How about checking the newspaper, or going on line.  Take some of your winnings and buy a ticket for the clue bus.

What does it say about our society that we are all in such a hurry, except when it becomes “our turn”?  You waited patiently for your turn and now you have it; don’t abuse it.  Take care of business and then let the people behind you have a chance to do the same.  AFTER the clerk has given you your total IS NOT the time to start stumbling through your purse, or to realize that your wallet is still in the car.  Be prepared.  What?  Didn’t have enough time to get your money out while the guy in front of you decided to take up smoking?  “What is a menthol?  Should I buy soft pack or hard pack? OOH! Show me the ones in the pretty red box!”  Let’s get with it people, I’ve got a Dr. Pepper in one hand, a Nutrageous in the other and a 4 year old tugging on my shirt saying: “Daddy, I have to go potty.”  I really don’t have time to listen to you and the clerk talk about what a crime it is that “Jericho” got cancelled.  Again.  Go home and start a fan club internet protest.  Again.  We have to go; literally.