Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?...

ponycar17 · 10-02-2009, 07:27 PM

I've been pondering on this subject for a while but I finally decided to ask more people what they think of the subject.

When standing in line at a crowded supermarket or other store with multiple checkout lines or lanes of travel I'm constantly aware of where I'm standing so that other people can pass by. I call it courtesy. I was taught this at an early age when my mom, grandparents and great-grandmother told my little butt to get out of the way of others.

Others seem not to care...

My wife and I were attempting to get through the front isle of a local supermarket tonight pushing a grocery cart (aka: "buggy" where we live) with our son riding along and several people just blocked the isle of travel and wouldn't move until we said, "excuse me." At that time they said, "oh sorry" and moved aside. Why did it take us asking for a way through?...

Isn't there such a thing as common courtesy any more?

At work various management members have meetings on the production floor throughout the day to cover what's currently going on. One of the largest meetings is at a point at the front entrance of the plant. People use this walkway to exit the building routinely. Operators use the exit to go to break. I use the exit to walk back to my office after visiting a production area... It would seem to me that supposedly educated individuals would have the common courtesy to maintain the walkway and allow a constant flow of people through the area even while having their meeting. Most people try to maintain an isle but there's always several people who stand right in the way and don't bother to notice that they're blocking people attempting to pass.

So, I have to ask... Is it stupidity or simple lack of courtesy?

Do any of the rest of you feel as I do on the matter? If you feel differently, what's your take on the situation? Have people lost all common courtesy?...

Am I overly conscious of how my actions affect others?...

graehaven · 10-02-2009, 07:40 PM

I'm in agreement with you. I was raised the same way.

They are blissfully unaware most of the time, living their lives in "condition white." No one exists but themselves.

They drive the same way. These are the people that accidents "happen to."

They are the opiate drunken masses. And they will be the cannon fodder.

Only a few are awake.

johnlives4christ · 10-02-2009, 07:41 PM

im the same way as you are. and i think other people are just inconsiderate. they have only one person on their mind. themselves

Bobitis · 10-02-2009, 07:46 PM

I guess it depends on what one considers stoopidity, vs ingorance, vs courtesy.

If I'm a business owner, I'd say get out of the way. These customers pay your wage.

It's all about the money.

Stoopidity? FIRED!
Ignorence? FIRED!
No respect? Fired!

Show me the money.
If you can't, you're fired.

Respect begets respect.

ponycar17 · 10-02-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobitis

Respect begets respect.

In the work situation that's what bothers me most. Operators have a short time to take a break. With educated idiots standing in their path of travel as they attempt to take a break it dumbfounds me why some can't see that they're showing their workers a TOTAL lack of respect by their action, or rather inaction. It's amazing... Oblivious, stupid, discourteous, self-centered, narrow-minded, whatever it is... It ain't good.

hkruss · 10-02-2009, 07:58 PM

I'm with you on this Pony. It does seem that many people have no manners or consideration for others.
How about the "moving road block"? You know, when you are at the mall and there is a whole family in front of you spread out line abreast, and they are shuffling their feet along at .05 miles per hour. Another thing is when you hold a door open for someone, do you notice how many have the courtesy to say "thanks"? What I do when they say nothing is to say "you're welcome" loudly, and smile at them just to see their reaction. Sometimes it shames them into saying thanks. The rest of them are just A.H.'s I guess!
This may seem petty to some, but to me, it shows lack of class and manners.

oldogy · 10-02-2009, 08:05 PM

Wake up folks, wake upl
graehaven pretty much covered it as I see it.
oldogy

artabr · 10-02-2009, 08:26 PM

I'm in complete agreement.
Sunday morning I ran into this:
2 joggers running down a 4 lane road, running with the direction of traffic. One is running along the far right curb. No problem.
His buddy is running down the center lane. He was not crossing the road as this was his position as he passed in front of my house AND 6 blocks later when he shot me the bird for blowing the horn at him.

Call it road rage, call it whatever. This is one time that I wish that I would have been in a truck with some large mirrors. Whacking this arrogant SOB in the back of the head would have almost been worth the jail time.

Art

kutaho · 10-02-2009, 08:29 PM

Clueless.

kutaho · 10-02-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artabr

I'm in complete agreement.
Sunday morning I ran into this:
2 joggers running down a 4 lane road, running with the direction of traffic. One is running along the far right curb. No problem.
His buddy is running down the center lane. He was not crossing the road as this was his position as he passed in front of my house AND 6 blocks later when he shot me the bird for blowing the horn at him.

Call it road rage, call it whatever. This is one time that I wish that I would have been in a truck with some large mirrors. Whacking this arrogant SOB in the back of the head would have almost been worth the jail time.

Art

Cattle prod

Suwannee Tim · 10-02-2009, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkruss

How about the "moving road block"? You know, when you are at the mall and there is a whole family in front of you spread out line abreast, and they are shuffling their feet along at .05 miles per hour.

What a bigot! We know who you are talking about!

I think sometimes these folks are oblivious. I have many times said "excuse me" to have them quickly vacate the path with an apology. Sometimes it is arrogance. A manager for example may think he will demonstrate his superiority by being rude to an hourly worker. Ignorant, stupid, how many other reasons?

I once had a crowd of women blocking my way when I was in a hurry and very angry. I shouted "Make a path!" at near the top of my lungs, shoulda seen them hop, hop, hop, hop! As I stormed by one of them said "You don't need to yell." I responded "Yeah, I guess I could have shot my way through!" Bad idea. I had to answer questions about that one.

artabr · 10-02-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kutaho

Cattle prod

That would work.

Even better.
I coulda done a drive-by tazering.

Leave him floppin like a fish in the middle of the road.

Need to file this thread for future reference.

Art

kutaho · 10-02-2009, 08:47 PM

FOML

flopping like a fish

bcj1755 · 10-02-2009, 09:08 PM

Don't even get me started on THIS one

Insulation Tim · 10-02-2009, 09:16 PM

Another sign of the de-civilization of mankind. You see it everywhere.

ponycar17 · 10-02-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artabr

....2 joggers running down a 4 lane road, running with the direction of traffic. One is running along the far right curb. No problem.
His buddy is running down the center lane....

That's a good point to discuss Art. I ride a mountain/road/hybrid bike a good bit. I stay as far to the right as I can for self-preservation's sake. I have often commented how crazy it is to jog/walk/ride in the center of the lane of travel. You may have the right of way as a pedestrian but you cannot plead your case from 6 ft. under. Get the heck out of the road!

Some folks have no concept of self-preservation... Good point!

red14 · 10-02-2009, 09:33 PM

Yes, and, yes.

It is a passive aggressive show of disrespect.

Just like the idiots that have the speakers loud enough in their cars to shake my window. Like the ones that walk across the road,

in front of your car , AND STARE AT YOU WHILE THEY WALK AS SLOW AS A PREGNANT THREE LEGGED TURTLE!!!!!!!

There, I feel better.

.

navis128 · 10-02-2009, 09:45 PM

Since you have an office, would it be totally inappropriate for you to go to the supervisor in private and ask them to keep the walkway clear during the meetings? If they get snippy tell them it's an OSHA issue.

ponycar17 · 10-02-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navis128

Since you have an office, would it be totally inappropriate for you to go to the supervisor in private and ask them to keep the walkway clear during the meetings? If they get snippy tell them it's an OSHA issue.

Grand idea...

Welcome to the world of large company politics. That's an impossible mission.

What's worse is that I'm our department's safety representative.

I appreciate your comment because you seem genuinely concerned. Try to talk this concept into the crowd I'm referring to and you'll quickly lose their attention.

If it's not about 'the game' or their department's 'numbers' expect them to blank out soon after the conversation begins.

Alpo · 10-02-2009, 10:08 PM

I understand the grocery store issue.

Here we have two checkout aisles. In the aisle on the right, the guy 4th in line has left a hole for passage in the L/R aisle. Notice how someone else is sliding their cart into that hole. In the aisle on the left, the 4th guy left no hole. If you wish to get by, you say "excuse me", and he will, immediately, get out of the way, and then go right back to where he was. He does not wish to go from 4th in line to 5th in line, simply because he was trying to be polite.

That happens any time there is a line. If you leave a hole, for people to cross in front of you, someone will step or drive into that hole.

4EvrLearning · 10-02-2009, 10:12 PM

I was raised the same way you were, pony....to defer to others; to observe what's going on and move before/without having to be asked. TO BE CONSIDERATE!

These situations you describe come as no surprise to me, though. We are reaping the rewards of self-esteem saturation: "I'm worth ______." Total focus on "me"...on "my rights"..."Looking out for #1"...and the list goes on.

The teaching of "Do unto others..." is too often forgotten or not taught at all.

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not {merely} look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)

I can be as guilty of selfishness as anyone...but selfishness/self-centeredness seems to be the acceptable norm instead of a vice.

Disclaimer: The concept of self-esteem has become so engrained in our way of thinking that I expect to receive feedback about my position on it

But...I am making a distinction here between what I consider harmful self-esteem teachings vs. having a healthy self-image of who one is; one's inherent value as a human; and not over-inflating one's worth to the point where the worth/needs of others is secondary.

Slabsides · 10-02-2009, 10:16 PM

I'm with you, but it's pretty much expected behavior these days. I make it a point to stay clear. It's called situational awareness which we as gun owners seem to have a higher level of.

I have found a solution while in department and big box stores: If you see some brainless chimp blocking an aisle, hit them in the ankle with your shopping cart and as soon as they react, apologize "oh, excuse me" and keep going while trying to hold back the laughter. No foul as long as you apologize. Make it look like an accident

.

If someone says "why don't you watch where you're going", say "I was. I was going right down the middle of the aisle".

I have gone into wally world already pissed and not feeling well and did not feel like messing with stupid, rude people. I just pointed my cart in the direction of the largest opening and kept going. The cart is shaped like a wedge for a reason

. Never heard a peep out of anyone.

Yea. Stupid, ignorant people are everywhere and growing in numbers. Our last election results proved that.

navis128 · 10-02-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ponycar17

If it's not about 'the game' or their department's 'numbers' expect them to blank out soon after the conversation begins.

So, it sounds like you fill out a lot of 300 series forms then.

red14 · 10-02-2009, 10:20 PM

I think self esteem, should come from accomplishing a goal. Entitlement is counter productive, just makes lazy, selfish people.

ponycar17 · 10-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navis128

So, it sounds like you fill out a lot of 300 series forms then.

We have no '300' series forms but I assure you that I'm vocal and not very popular because of that fact.

10-02-2009, 07:40 PM	#2
graehaven Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,853	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I'm in agreement with you. I was raised the same way. They are blissfully unaware most of the time, living their lives in "condition white." No one exists but themselves. They drive the same way. These are the people that accidents "happen to." They are the opiate drunken masses. And they will be the cannon fodder. Only a few are awake. __________________ The beauty of the second amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson RESISTANCE IS FEUDAL... PREPARE TO SERVE.

10-02-2009, 07:41 PM	#3
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... im the same way as you are. and i think other people are just inconsiderate. they have only one person on their mind. themselves

10-02-2009, 07:46 PM	#4
Bobitis Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 6,612	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I guess it depends on what one considers stoopidity, vs ingorance, vs courtesy. If I'm a business owner, I'd say get out of the way. These customers pay your wage. It's all about the money. Stoopidity? FIRED! Ignorence? FIRED! No respect? Fired! Show me the money. If you can't, you're fired. Respect begets respect. __________________ ^.^ A point in every direction is the same as having no point at all

10-02-2009, 07:58 PM	#6
hkruss Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mobile, Al. Posts: 1,092	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I'm with you on this Pony. It does seem that many people have no manners or consideration for others. How about the "moving road block"? You know, when you are at the mall and there is a whole family in front of you spread out line abreast, and they are shuffling their feet along at .05 miles per hour. Another thing is when you hold a door open for someone, do you notice how many have the courtesy to say "thanks"? What I do when they say nothing is to say "you're welcome" loudly, and smile at them just to see their reaction. Sometimes it shames them into saying thanks. The rest of them are just A.H.'s I guess! This may seem petty to some, but to me, it shows lack of class and manners. __________________ obama - "non gratum anus rodentum"

10-02-2009, 08:05 PM	#7
oldogy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East TN Posts: 309	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... Wake up folks, wake upl graehaven pretty much covered it as I see it. oldogy __________________ ue"]If gun laws in fact worked, the sponsors of this type of legislation should have no difficulty drawing upon long lists of examples of crime rates reduced by such legislation. That they cannot do so after a century and a half of trying -- " Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah)[/COLOR]

10-02-2009, 07:27 PM	#1
ponycar17 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: South Carolina Contributor Posts: 4,884	Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I've been pondering on this subject for a while but I finally decided to ask more people what they think of the subject. When standing in line at a crowded supermarket or other store with multiple checkout lines or lanes of travel I'm constantly aware of where I'm standing so that other people can pass by. I call it courtesy. I was taught this at an early age when my mom, grandparents and great-grandmother told my little butt to get out of the way of others. Others seem not to care... My wife and I were attempting to get through the front isle of a local supermarket tonight pushing a grocery cart (aka: "buggy" where we live) with our son riding along and several people just blocked the isle of travel and wouldn't move until we said, "excuse me." At that time they said, "oh sorry" and moved aside. Why did it take us asking for a way through?... Isn't there such a thing as common courtesy any more? At work various management members have meetings on the production floor throughout the day to cover what's currently going on. One of the largest meetings is at a point at the front entrance of the plant. People use this walkway to exit the building routinely. Operators use the exit to go to break. I use the exit to walk back to my office after visiting a production area... It would seem to me that supposedly educated individuals would have the common courtesy to maintain the walkway and allow a constant flow of people through the area even while having their meeting. Most people try to maintain an isle but there's always several people who stand right in the way and don't bother to notice that they're blocking people attempting to pass. So, I have to ask... Is it stupidity or simple lack of courtesy? Do any of the rest of you feel as I do on the matter? If you feel differently, what's your take on the situation? Have people lost all common courtesy?... Am I overly conscious of how my actions affect others?... __________________ Arm yourself with intellectual Ammunition! Gunfacts 5.1 Myth-Busting Facts JustFacts.com on Gun Control Stopping Power, the Downloadable Book --> Last edited by ponycar17; 10-02-2009 at 07:40 PM..

10-02-2009, 08:26 PM	#8
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I'm in complete agreement. Sunday morning I ran into this: 2 joggers running down a 4 lane road, running with the direction of traffic. One is running along the far right curb. No problem. His buddy is running down the center lane. He was not crossing the road as this was his position as he passed in front of my house AND 6 blocks later when he shot me the bird for blowing the horn at him. Call it road rage, call it whatever. This is one time that I wish that I would have been in a truck with some large mirrors. Whacking this arrogant SOB in the back of the head would have almost been worth the jail time. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

10-02-2009, 08:29 PM	#9
kutaho Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,852	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... Clueless. __________________ No man stands in the same river twice If all else fails grab a rock Mi Taku oyasin

10-02-2009, 08:47 PM	#13
kutaho Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,852	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... FOML flopping like a fish __________________ No man stands in the same river twice If all else fails grab a rock Mi Taku oyasin

10-02-2009, 09:08 PM	#14
bcj1755 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: A wretched hive of scum and villiany Posts: 4,357	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... Don't even get me started on THIS one __________________ History is much like an endless waltz. The three beats of war, peace, and revolution continue on forever. Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges - Cicero If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. - Samuel Adams

10-02-2009, 09:16 PM	#15
Insulation Tim Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,294	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... Another sign of the de-civilization of mankind. You see it everywhere. __________________ Tim *"Remember the Ark was built by amateurs....Professionals built the Titanic"*

10-02-2009, 09:33 PM	#17
red14 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N FLA Posts: 3,913	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... Yes, and, yes. It is a passive aggressive show of disrespect. Just like the idiots that have the speakers loud enough in their cars to shake my window. Like the ones that walk across the road, in front of your car , AND STARE AT YOU WHILE THEY WALK AS SLOW AS A PREGNANT THREE LEGGED TURTLE!!!!!!! There, I feel better. . __________________ I never argue, I state my opinion, and support my position.

10-02-2009, 09:45 PM	#18
navis128 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 1,392	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... Since you have an office, would it be totally inappropriate for you to go to the supervisor in private and ask them to keep the walkway clear during the meetings? If they get snippy tell them it's an OSHA issue.

10-02-2009, 10:08 PM	#20
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,648	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I understand the grocery store issue. Here we have two checkout aisles. In the aisle on the right, the guy 4th in line has left a hole for passage in the L/R aisle. Notice how someone else is sliding their cart into that hole. In the aisle on the left, the 4th guy left no hole. If you wish to get by, you say "excuse me", and he will, immediately, get out of the way, and then go right back to where he was. He does not wish to go from 4th in line to 5th in line, simply because he was trying to be polite. That happens any time there is a line. If you leave a hole, for people to cross in front of you, someone will step or drive into that hole. Attached Images __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

10-02-2009, 10:12 PM	#21
4EvrLearning Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Left Coast Posts: 1,449	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I was raised the same way you were, pony....to defer to others; to observe what's going on and move before/without having to be asked. TO BE CONSIDERATE! These situations you describe come as no surprise to me, though. We are reaping the rewards of self-esteem saturation: "I'm worth ______." Total focus on "me"...on "my rights"..."Looking out for #1"...and the list goes on. The teaching of "Do unto others..." is too often forgotten or not taught at all. "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not {merely} look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4) I can be as guilty of selfishness as anyone...but selfishness/self-centeredness seems to be the acceptable norm instead of a vice. Disclaimer: The concept of self-esteem has become so engrained in our way of thinking that I expect to receive feedback about my position on it But...I am making a distinction here between what I consider harmful self-esteem teachings vs. having a healthy self-image of who one is; one's inherent value as a human; and not over-inflating one's worth to the point where the worth/needs of others is secondary. __________________ *"Until God is finished with me, I am immortal." Jonathan Edwards, American Theologian (1703-1758)*

10-02-2009, 10:16 PM	#22
Slabsides Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: L.A. (Lower Alabama) Posts: 921	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I'm with you, but it's pretty much expected behavior these days. I make it a point to stay clear. It's called situational awareness which we as gun owners seem to have a higher level of. I have found a solution while in department and big box stores: If you see some brainless chimp blocking an aisle, hit them in the ankle with your shopping cart and as soon as they react, apologize "oh, excuse me" and keep going while trying to hold back the laughter. No foul as long as you apologize. Make it look like an accident. If someone says "why don't you watch where you're going", say "I was. I was going right down the middle of the aisle". I have gone into wally world already pissed and not feeling well and did not feel like messing with stupid, rude people. I just pointed my cart in the direction of the largest opening and kept going. The cart is shaped like a wedge for a reason. Never heard a peep out of anyone. Yea. Stupid, ignorant people are everywhere and growing in numbers. Our last election results proved that. __________________ /l ,[____], l---L -OlllllllO- ()_)-()_)-o-)_)

10-02-2009, 10:20 PM	#24
red14 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N FLA Posts: 3,913	Re: Stupidity or simply a lack of common courtesy?... I think self esteem, should come from accomplishing a goal. Entitlement is counter productive, just makes lazy, selfish people. __________________ I never argue, I state my opinion, and support my position.