live more leadership

When I was in college I remember my boyfriend (yes, I’m talking about you Mike) insisting on walking on the road side of the sidewalk. I found this to be quite a ridiculous convention, pretending to periodically attempt to fling myself into oncoming traffic.

I would still be more than willing to give up such formal manners. But I do find myself missing some common courtesies. Namely, now that I am often accompanied by a stroller, I am horrified to realize how infrequently strangers offer to hold the door open for me. Yes, people just stand there are watch me struggle, apparently with no thought to just hold the door open. This includes people who are actually WAITING to go through the door!

Similarly, here in Portland, cars see almost no reason to ever stop to let someone cross. This includes a woman who is 8 months pregnant, carrying a 2-year old, who is at a crosswalk. I can very reasonably describe this as commonplace (even the statistical median of my experience).

Now, back to the smokers. Funny enough, the most common courtesy I witness in my area of town is from smokers. I find that when smokers see me approaching with a stroller, they routinely hold their cigarette away from me to keep the smoke away from my kids. This simple act of consideration is usually delivered with a smile.

Mind you, I happen to hate cigarette smoke. And I really understand that younger generations are not so commited to conventions of the past. But please, can’t we just let go of the “rules” that don’t make any sense, while still maintaining some level of social decency! Apparently, for all they are often either vilified or disparaged, smokers seem to be the last decent people living in my neighborhood. So, long live the smokers – hmm, oxymoron?