The other day i was in line at Coles putting my trolley full of groceries up on the belt. There was one man behind me in the queue, probably in his early 20's holding about 3 items. I asked him if he'd like to go before me seeing as I had a huge amount to get through and he only had a few things. He declined, so I told him I really didn't mind if he goes before me once again, so after a while he agreed to. The whole time he thanked me and even said goodbye as he left. Then when it was my turn the girl at the register thanked me and told me what a nice gesture it was to let him go ahead of me. I was a bit shocked, I thought this type of thing was quite normal and happened often. As I talked about it with her, she told me that not many people let others go before them anymore and how she hardly sees it happen.
This really shocked me and got me thinking that maybe 'Common Courtesy' isn't very common these days. I've lost count of the number of times people have raced through a door and let it slam in front of the person behind them. Or drivers who don't allow another driver to cut in front of them while at traffic lights.
I wonder what other BBers think. Do you let peole cut infront of you at the checkout if they only have a few items or hold doors open instead of letting htem slam in peoples faces etc?
I always hold doors or let people in (whether at the supermarket or in traffic etc) But I have to say, I do agree with the girl at the checkout - I can't say i've experienced allot of people who do the same thing.
I find people around me do these things. Not always the checkout line thing, but I've often had it happen.
I also had someone give me her spare woolies docket for a fuel voucher too. That blew me away!!
if i have a full trolley and see somebody with a few things i let them go first as i would like to think somebody would do it for me as they kindly did yesterday.
But i sadly have to agree common courtesy just isnt common anymore which is a real shame
I let people go first sometimes. WHat i like to do the most is when they ask if i have fly buys (which i dont) i usually ask the person behind me if they want to have my points and to go ahead and scan their card. People love that! i dont mind cause i dont have them and it only takes a second for them to get theri card out if they havent already.
I always let people go in front at the supermarket if they have only a couple of things, but no one ever seems to offer when I don't have much.
I have had people politely stand and wait for me as I fight to hold a door open while getting the pram though - apparently it doesn't even occur to them that I would be a lot faster if they held the door open for me.
I will often hold the door open for people who need it (even if I'm not going through it). Letting other people in front of you in the queue, well that happens too in this neighbourhood!
We had a bunch of trainees at work, and the kids (geeze I must be getting old!) were all going through the door, and letting it slam on the next person. I gave them hell and advised that wasn't showing respect for individuals ... anyhows, now all of them will open doors for everyone and make sure they don't slam anyone's face !
I think you're right! I do the same in the checkout as you did quite often, but hardly ever have had anyone do it for me. I find people are generally becomming ruder sadely enough.
I am so with you on this one! Its actually one of my pet hates, the lack of common courtesy.
I also do the same at the supermarket and I am always surprised by the reactions I get, people are really surprised and thankful.
Yes I let traffic in.. however I dont think its hard to give a little wave to say thanks and acknowledge it! I hate it when people just expect to be let in or just drive out in front so you have to stop.
I also give my parking meter slips to whoever I can see around that has just pulled up, I have even put one back in the machine tray when there wasnt anyone to give it to.. I just hope it made someones day!
People never holds doors anymore, its so rude!! I had some old guy let the door slam in my face when I was carrying DS the other day.. it was obvious I had my hands full!
I could go on... its just one of those things that really irks me!
I see it all the time at my work. But it must be the type of place i work in. But in the supermarket it doesnt happen all that often. When im loading my stuff and i can see someone behind me with a big basket i will compact my stuff so they can put their basket up. My DP is very rude he doesnt do anything like that... doesnt hold doors open, nothing. But i was brought up to be courteous of other people. As for traffic Canberra people are horrible, they dont even know how to merge into one lane.. and theyre great for cutting each other off..
I usually let cars out - my good deed for the day done!
In supermarkets... depends on DS. If he's in an OK mood then someone can cut in front. If he's getting itchy to get out, then sorry mate, I was here first and have a cranky son.
I hold open doors, say "thank you", give old ladies lifts home, share my son with the neighbourhood old ladies, stop children running away from their mothers (WISH someone would return this favour!) and am generally community-minded. Getting rarer where I live, but not dead completely!
We live in the country, so courtesy is a little more 'common', but still a dying artform IMO.
Manners sadly seem to be dying with it.
People seem to think that being rude is their right....if only they knew how freeing and how happy it make you feel to be polite and courteous, they might do it more often.
Being courteous does make me feel nice, selfish I think but it makes me try to do it more often
I have let others in front of me and have been allowed in front on numerous occassions..
Even though I am still on my learners (can drive just slack getting proper license lol) I let people in I am in no rush to get places. Dh is a little less patient and thinks why should he. I make him though LOL
I hold doors open for men and women of all ages. If I am holding the door and someone is coming I just hold it.
I find the rudest of all in the shops are the elderly women. They never move out of anyones road. Although iin saying that when I went to the shops this morning I came across 3 lovely older ladies. My darling children were being a bit silly and not watching where they were going and nearly walked into their trollies and they weren't at all rude infact they said.. Oh thats all right dear
So yeh in response to your question I come across common courtesy a decent amount but still think there is room for improvement. I do teach my children basic courtesy
I will just say this - living in London, I had strangers help me carry a large, heavy bag up from the tube to the trains. That's LONDON. You expect rudeness there. So for people to not do it anywhere else, especially to someoneon crutches, is just the height of rudeness.
Without giving myself too big a head, I think I'm fairly courteous when out and about. I'll find myself holding doors for others and such (especially my very pregnant DF!). Same goes for on the road, generally I'll keep an eye out for people trying to get in, waiting at a busy intersection etc. Annoys me though when I don't get the thank you wave!
But for me (especially at work) sometimes it goes a little overboard and especially when constantly passing through security doors, when do you hold the door and when don't you? Was it right when you make them run to get through the door? LOL here I go thinking too much into this. Don't even get me started on when and when not to wave!
I really can't handle rude people, they frustrate and annoy me, but being fairly shy I'll rarely make a big deal about it...
It happens quite often around here. I let people in front of me at the supermarket and have been offered to jump in front of others as well.
A few years ago when DH was in hospital for 5 weeks I was having to pay for parking everyday. The tickets were valid for 12 hours so I would always give my ticket to someone else just arriving. Most people were just thankful, but some seemed shocked and didn't know if they should accept or not!
With opening doors, I reckon if the door has time to shut before the person arrives, it's OK to let it close. BUT with security doors, they're security for a reason, so I never hold them open unless it's a friend I'm walking with. I don't want to let an unsecured person into a security-protected zone, IYKWIM.
Common courtesy......
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and theyre great for cutting each other off.. 
I come across common courtesy a decent amount but still think there is room for improvement. I do teach my children basic courtesy
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