As the holiday season comes into full swing, it seems there is a set group of people that always gets the short end of the stick. While most people are out and about, shopping, going out to eat, and spending time with their family, others are stuck working and missing out on their own holiday family time.

Be nice to the people making your coffee, fixing your car, servicing your flight, bagging your order, cleaning your hotel room, watching your kids, pouring your drinks, driving you places, delivering your food, tearing your tickets, dropping off your mail, doing construction in your hometown, and taking out your trash.

These people work hard all year long; difficult, taxing, underappreciated work. Many have second or even third jobs to support their families. For them, the holidays can be a time of stress and chaos. Do not add to this already difficult time.

Be nice to doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, police officers, people working in hospitals and clinics, and public servants. They work tirelessly to help you, sometimes putting themselves in danger to save your life. If you're unfortunate enough to have to encounter them this holiday, remember, they have families at home too, but instead, they're here with you.

This time of year can be the busiest, with holiday accidents and emergencies at an all-time high. Practice some understanding and compassion.

If you see a sign on a company that says "Open Christmas Day," recognize that people had to sign up for these shifts; that they couldn't leave town or make plans with their families. Realize that working these unpopular shifts is something they have to do or they risk losing their jobs.

Kindness costs nothing. Patience will get you places just as fast. It is not that hard to simply be a good person. To be good to others.

Tip people well, say 'thank you' a little more often. Leave a gift for the person who delivers your mail and the one that picks up your trash. Practice saying the phrase, "no worries," when someone tells you that it'll take a little longer to get what you need, or when something goes wrong.

If you feel the need to yell at the person in the drive-through because your order is taking a couple minutes longer than you wanted it to, consider taking a deep breath and being a bigger person.

If you're going to have a hard time being nice to another human being— if your holiday stress is running too high— just stay home. Cook your own meals, do your own hair, clean your own house, brew your own coffee. Working the holidays is hard enough. Don't make it worse.