Are We Really That Bad? The Loss of Common Courtesy and Decency

This article will be a bit of a rant. I have said for quite some time now – years in fact – that there are two things that really don’t exist anymore in this world: common courtesy, and common sense. I want to focus on common courtesy today, but there is an incredible amount to say about common sense as well – in another article.

Something happened to me this morning that made it so glaringly clear it was literally a kick in the rear. Well, maybe not a “kick” per se, seeing as a sidewalk can’t kick you!! Confused? Here is what happened. I was out for my early morning walk today when almost immediately my walker decided to hit a rut, which caused me to walk into said walker, which caused me to land on my knees in front of – you guessed it – said (again) walker. Now I’m not telling this for sympathy, – or chastisement as some might gear up a lecture – I’m telling you this to show you how far humans have fallen down the slope of caring for others. While my rear was conversing with the cement, I watched car after car drive by, and person after person get out of cars across the street, and not a single soul came over to this not-very-skinny blob sitting on the sidewalk – I was hardly invisible! I was waiting for the paramedics to come, as I was the perfect specimen of the cliched saying “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!!” Ignoring the cold cement – and yes, the cement really WAS cold this morning – I continued to wonder what exactly happened to humanity to turn everyone so cold.

Believe me, my thoughts weren’t very kind towards the rest of humanity at that moment. And yes, I know that we’ve all been under enormous stresses for over a year with all these restrictions, and confusion around said restrictions. We’ve been “socially” distancing for so long that we’ve forgotten what a handshake is!! But is that an excuse to ignore your fellow man (or “woman” in my case)? What has happened to us? Are we really only concerned with me, myself and I? Do we not have any room in our world for even the barest of human decencies? I was hardly invisible, and the discourse I was having with the sidewalk was turning a little “frigid”. Finally, just before the paramedics arrived, a kind-hearted, soft-spoken lady came up to me and did ask if I was O.K. My “knee-jerk” (pun intended) reaction was to say “No, I just thought I would ponder the wisdom of the sidewalk this morning”!! Thankfully my brain went into gear before my mouth engaged and I just as quietly answered her question. She stayed with me and flagged down the ambulance as they were perusing the sidewalk looking for me while coasting down the road.

I have to say something here about paramedics. They are just priceless. Even though they venture to every call not really knowing what they’ll find, they show up with a caring tone in their voice and a helping hand at the ready. The two ladies that assisted me this morning were just fantastic. They were friendly and smiling through their masks. Even my warning of “I’m pretty heavy due to the covid diet” didn’t discourage them. They found a way to untangle my legs, lift up this blob passing as a person, and ended my discourse with the sidewalk! So, all-in-all, everything worked out. Except for that tiny little fact about the extinction of concern for your fellow man.

What am I trying to get across in this tirade? I’m trying to appeal to a person’s better nature. Don’t be so busy with your life and stresses that you forego your simple human decency. Yes, I know there are people that have quite a lot on their mind, and have all the burdens they can carry. But how much effort does it really take to walk up to a person and ask if they’re O.K.? How much time does it really take to just stop and keep someone company while they wait for help? Are we really that pressed for time? The thing to remember here? You never know when YOU are going to be that person who gets introduced to the ground. Yes, you might be in great shape now and get yourself up again, but the years do go by fairly quickly. Before you know it, you will be in the season of your life where help is needed – and not available. So, if you see someone who looks a little lost; a person who seems to be in tears; or clearly needs help; don’t forget: that may be you some day! Spare a little time to ask quietly “Are you O.K.?” If they say no, spare a little more time to show you do have some feelings. That your heart and your soul haven’t frozen up beyond any possibility of melting. That your orbit can include someone in need. It’s the human thing to do – the DECENT thing to do. And believe me, you WILL be remembered for your actions. You may never see that person again, but what they’ll remember is this: when they were in a quandary, someone cared enough to stop. It doesn’t matter whether this person is homeless or wearing designer clothes and fabulous jewelry, EVERYONE needs – and deserves – a little kindness from the heart. Show them courtesy and decency isn’t extinct.

Until next time,

Inge