Last week, common courtesy died.
After a long and courageous bout with apathy, inconsideration and disrespect, common courtesy passed away, leaving a void not only in the social landscape of America but also a rift in the values of the entire world.
There will be no posthumous award for common courtesy, nor will there be any hour-long news magazine specials on broadcast primetime. Common courtesy's closest celebrity friends will not be appearing on Larry King Live to speak of a life so tragically cut short, nor will mayors of cities small and large declare official holidays in remembrance of common courtesy. Children will not be taught the rich history of common courtesy hero and role model who will never grace the cover of a magazine or be featured on a stamp.
Where were you when common courtesy died? I know I'll never forget.
Making my way to class one afternoon last week, I could sense a presence of another person walking behind me-probably a bit early to class like myself to claim a good seat in lecture. As we arrived at the entrance of our mutual destination, I reached for the door handle but, instead of shoving my way through the door, I stepped back and held the door ajar so that the girl behind me could enter first. As she walked past me into the building, I didn't expect her to say or do anything, except perhaps a quiet thank you and a hint of a smile. I received neither.
Instead, the girl cast me an icy glance, her countenance cold enough to match the February breeze. \You're welcome?"" I wanted to reply as she brushed by me and headed toward the lecture hall. I quickly analyzed the social atrocity that had just occurred, scanning for any recollection of even the most infinitesimal transgression I could have committed against her by simply practicing common courtesy. I found no wrongdoing on my behalf and stood with the door in my hand wondering how people like that girl ever made it in this world.
I knew then that common courtesy had finally given up the proverbial ghost. Of course, I understand that people have off days-often times the trifles and problems of life pile up and eclipse the smallest gestures of kindness, preventing us from appreciating the positive happening around us.
Perhaps the young lady whom I tried to be polite to was having the worst day of her life. Perhaps, when I stopped to hold the door for her, she thought to herself, ""Great. I bet this jerk wants me to marry him or have his children. What did I do to deserve this?"" Perhaps this scenario is part of a greater trend lending to the degradation of common decency.
Unfortunately, I've noticed with increasing alarm the indifference with which we choose to treat the strangers with whom we cross paths. The girl in my class is but one of thousands of people I've taken time out of my life to be polite to and one of the hundreds who has not cared at all. Because I believed in common courtesy, doing the right thing and not expecting anything in return was good enough. But I wonder: until I wrote this, did anyone care?
Common courtesy can live on. Just like the Beatles, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Roman Empire, common courtesy can live on in the minds and hearts of those who refuse to forget. Never forget.
