I will never understand why it is so frustrating to me that you did not hold the door open for two more seconds. Everyone knows the saying, “It’s the thought that counts.” I’m not frustrated that I had to open the door, I’m frustrated because you didn’t try to be nice.
I don’t know why I get annoyed that you shove your credit card in my face at my register before I tell you the price. I do not know why you do that either. Are you in a hurry? Have you ever had a job before?
I have come to know your type after working multiple jobs. You walk up to the register, ignore my, “Hi, how are you?” and then spew out your order like you aren’t talking to a real person or anything. Just because I am wearing a uniform does not mean I am beneath you. Actually, I’m better than you because I am working hard and being responsible, as well as being polite to every person that walks in the door. While I am typing in your order on the register screen, you are impatiently holding your credit card out towards my face, arms fully extended, staring at me like I’m too slow. So now I will take my sweet time pressing the buttons. Let's see how long it takes for your arm to get tired. Meanwhile, I realize I have another question for you. When I ask you the question, you are too busy talking to your friend next to you to acknowledge that I spoke. Don’t bitch when your order is wrong. Finally you leave, and do not acknowledge my “have a good day.” I secretly take it back. Then you are too busy not paying attention to notice your order being called and then come back up to me and say I ordered blah-blah-blah five minutes ago and it's not ready. Actually, it's on the counter, probably cold now and no I will not remake it. Then you stomp out the door and do not hold it open for the person behind you.
This could go differently though. Maybe you’re the person who just truly does not know what manners are. Maybe you really don’t know that when there is a line of 20 people long you have plenty of time to dig for your credit card before you get to the register and waste my and the entire line’s time. Maybe you have no idea that it is polite to set your phone down while I am taking your order instead of never making eye contact with me. Also, some people say thank you every once in a while. I guess it really is possible that you don’t know to check if someone is behind you to see if you should open the door. However, even if you really don’t know, you are still equally annoying because you are too absorbed in your own life to pay attention to the world around you and how your actions affect others.
Maybe the problem is me. Maybe I expect too much of people when I really think they will hold the door for an extra second when my hands are full. I could blame my parents for raising me with manners. Now I go around in the world wondering why other people don’t have any. America is actually an individualistic country and I need to respect that a little more and expect a little less selflessness.
What’s really funny is that you would never know this letter is directed towards you, because you would not think that you are actually the rude person. It’s never your own fault.
