Excuse me please

People who lack basic courtesy irk me. 

Strangers are often subject to a mental dressing down by me long after we’ve crossed paths. Of course, none of it has any impact on their existence so instead I’ve decided to vent online. Such is the joy of living in the connected age!

If you’re walking along a corridor with a swinging door at the end, why wouldn’t you spend an extra second to keep the door open till the person walking three steps behind you reaches it? I’m not talking about opening the door and letting them pass before you, but just an extra push to make sure they’ve got a hold of it before you go on your way. It seems to be something that comes instinctively to a lot of people, most of whom aren’t Indian. It isn’t even about men being courteous for women. According to me, this is a civil courtesy that everyone should afford everyone else. 

Along the same lines, I notice a lot of people in offices who just wait for the person on the other side of the door to swipe their access cards, and then quickly go through before that person has themselves crossed. As if the other person is waiting just to open the door for you. It’s quite ridiculous. What give you the entitlement of right of way? 

It’s as if it’s never in your favour to be patient and give people a fair chance. Everyone just seems to be looking out for themselves. It even comes across in our tendencies to cut lines. Whether it’s while waiting for an elevator, or while driving. The basic assumption is - let me go first, I’ll be gone before anyone else is inconvenienced.

Well, let me tell you something. Every time, every single time that you cut in front of another person, you are inconveniencing them! No exceptions. So learn to wait your turn, be courteous to the person in front of you or behind you, and just be a better human being! It's not that much to ask for.