Simple acts of kindness... or at least common courtesy

Well...not to go all Pollyanna...but...

It's a harsh world. People are in a hurry...they're thoughtless and careless - certainly more so in America's big cities. I live in one of those.

As I struggle to get my consultancy going and get settled in my magnificent new city, little things resonate louder than ever.

Some things to consider:
-Turn indicators are named turn indicators for a reason. THEY INDICATE YOUR TURN. Use them and you won't get hit! It's just polite. AND - probably THE LAW?!

-As India.Arie's song "There's Hope" says: "It doesn't cost a thing so smile. You don't have to pay to laugh." Remember that when you pass someone in the grocery store or perhaps the sidewalk [though I know this does violate my DNE - do not engage - rule] a simple smile can go a long way to making wherever you live a better place.

NOT TO FEAR THE POLLYANNA PART IS COMING...

-FOR THE LOVE OF GOD EXCUSE YOURSELF when you block someone's way or bump into them. I am SHOCKED by how many people over 40 [likely about when this particular form of manners stopped being taught - and therefore anyone that looks under 40 gets a pass since few have any manners whatsoever.] just plod along and expect YOU to move. I was horrified by the matronly St. John knit-wearing broad that shoved her way past me at Saks this last weekend. So much so that I loudly exclaimed "NO, excuse ME!" Gross.

-When did it become appropriate business etiquette to completely ignore E-mail? Spam is spam - don't get me wrong. But it's simply rude to ignore what are clearly thoughtful business correspondences personally addressed. Perhaps craft a standard "Thanks, but - no, thanks" response - or just take a moment to acknowledge receipt of the communique. Digitizing everything has led to poor manners - to be sure. Unsolicited crap is one thing. But - when it's clear that someone took the time to write to you for some reason. Take 3 seconds and respond. Simple as that. Whether you're bombarded with pitched from PR firms or responses to a job posting remember that one day it'll be YOUR E-mail that's ignored.

-NOW for the good news and what prompted this posting... I popped into a local grocer to pick up a few things to complete a meal I'm making this evening. With a limited budget and sense of trepidation - I approached the butcher case. The lovely young woman with the dreads and killer smile asked if she could help... I asked about the spicy Italian sausage (making pasta tonight)...she weighed a couple - which turned out to be more than I had intended to spend. I asked for just one. She asked me if I'd ever had this particular sausage. I told I had not - but had enjoyed several of the different chicken sausages they made. She smiled and told me that the second one was on the house as I should enjoy the flavor. Well...I tell you...my eyes almost welled up. I think thanked her with the most warm appreciation I could offer and smiled and went on my way. Not earth-shattering news. Just a WILDLY pleasant experience that COMPLETELY turned my day around. Think about it as you navigate through your day and smile.

Thanks for reading.