'DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WISH THEM TO DO UNTO YOU' - TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WANT TO BE TREATED...THE GOLDEN RULE
The Golden Rule of treating others as you wish to be treated is apparently present in eight of the world's religions. This is probably because it makes good sense.
The handshake originated to prove that one was not holding a sword ready to fight a person they met. Laying down your shield left you defenceless to 'shield' yourself, therefore proving you were unarmed. Living by the golden rule is a determination you have made to not encounter others ready for an argument, be suspicious or hostile to others around you and generally that you intend to treat others as you wish to be treated.
It probably also means that you are fairly neutral or calm about the events happening around you and when you interact with people you meet.
The rules of etiquette, inform us about basic good manners, let us get on with our lives, with reasonable proscriptions which modify our behaviour and demonstrate standards of civility acceptable to our society. Generally these are the mores of this society. Those that do not follow them are usually consider boorish or rude.
In North America, although occasionally someone will, for example, push their way ahead of others in a line or a crowd, most of us recognize that the person who arrived first, goes first.
A man with good manners is normally considered a gentleman, a woman with good manners a lady.
Usually a person considered to have good manners has, at a minimum a consideration or awareness of other people, particularly those older or weaker than yourself.
Faced with repeated bad behaviour, I usually think I am dealing with a 'savage'. I am unlikely to be able to change this. Therefore, it may be appropriate to say in this case, 'it is what it is', I am thinking that this person was not brought up properly, by either of his parents. Neither his mother, nor it appears, his father instructed him in the way civilized people behave. At best he is oblivious and thoughtless of others; at worst intolerable.
Sometimes, objective outsiders such as teachers, counsellors, coaches or clergy need to try and explain why people behave in a certain way. Through their example and suggestions they might demonstrate and prove that, life is easier for people around him. He will also see that his only life also becomes easier and he can get on with what he wants to do in life without interruption.
It would be nice if we might all remember to acknowledge people with a smile or a greeting, particularly those serving us. A little kindness and courtesy as we proceeded through our day, has the positive effect of making life easier for everyone. In general, not only would we feel better but, I am certain the other people would continue their day feeling better as well.
Fortunately, there are still thousands of people who are considerate, even only briefly in their daily lives. They behave politely to other people. You may notice that many other people around you are behaving relatively normally, keeping to themselves and are likely going through their days in a calm fashion. This is normal behaviour.
Likely the person standing next to you, being a fellow human being, is as interested as you are in living their life, getting through their day and their life with a minimum of aggravation and upset. I really can not imagine anyone deliberately trying to find a way to complicate their lives.
When you consider how you wish to be treated before you respond to others around you, determine to extend to them the same courtesy you would like to experience yourself, you make your life easier while also making theirs a bit better too. Win-Win.
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