For a while I've noticed people being rude and inconsiderate, not only in college but at home as well. I don't understand why so many people can be mean or rude to others. There are several people who I've encountered and noticed how they treat people. It doesn't matter what it is, whether it's a question, someone asks someone else to do them a favor, or just saying thank you. My entire life, I've noticed people acting like only their feelings matter and no one else's. Maybe it's just me, but I really hope I'm not the only one that notices this.
Everywhere I go, there's someone giving another a hard time about something. For example, when I went to a store and saw a lady was asking a person who stocks up merchandise say to the worker, "Doesn't this store sell anything?" I wasn't sure what she was looking for but she was giving the worker a hard time. She then started yelling at the worker and using foul language. That worker was trying to calm the customer down in a nice manner, but was faced with someone who was being ignorant. It's times like these when I don't understand why people are constantly being inconsiderate to others.
Another time I witnessed something like this was at college. In our dinning hall we have a conveyor belt to put our dishes on and put our food and napkins/garbage in two separate bins. Every time I put my dishes on the conveyor belt, there are people who pass by me and don't even bother putting their food in the separate bins. They just leave it for the kitchen staff to clean up. They don't care about the kitchen staff's feelings, they just care about themselves because they are always in a hurry. They neglect to acknowledge how the kitchen staff feels. They do the best they can to accommodate the students. They make sure we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They take out their time and work overtime to make sure students have a healthy and nutritious meal. But are they thanked for what they do? Are they noticed for their hard work? They have families too, and they take time out of their day to do what we are supposed to do. They don't complain about the extra work they have to do. They shouldn't have to clean up our messes or take care of our trash, just because we didn't have the "time" or care to do what we are asked.
These examples may seem like they mean nothing to you when you read them, and you probably don't care. But the thing is, when we are rude and inconsiderate to people, we tend to hurt their feelings or make them work harder than they should have to. You might say, "Yeah, but that's their job." Sorry to say, but no it's not their job. No one should have to scrape your plate, push your chairs in, or clean up your messes. That is your job! We all are responsible for what we do or say to other people.
It's not just in cafeterias or in stores, it's everywhere. Everywhere we go we should treat people with dignity and respect no matter what! Not saying your "Please" or "Thank You"" can really hurt someone's feelings, because it makes them think they are not appreciated. Even whispering something mean under your breath about people can hurt their feelings even if you don't think they can hear you. More often than not, they can.
Try putting people's feelings before your own, even if you're busy. You are never too "busy" to be nice and polite to someone. You are never too "busy" to not use your manners or to be respectful to others. You never know what someone is going through, so make their lives easier by being considerate to their feelings and just be nice. If we put other people's feelings before our agendas, we can really make a difference, whether it's small or big, it leaves an impact on someone's life.
Not many people think of the small things, but they can lead up to the big things. Are you going to be nice and respectful to others, or are you going to be inconsiderate and rude? The choice is up to you, but just remember you're the person who can change how you act towards others. In the future it often shows who you are as a person. So choose wisely.. Whether it's big or small, every act of kindness goes a long way!