Rudeness then Politeness

I came across these 'fun facts', thought you would find them entertaining!

Usually I write about positive encounters while out and about, but last week at the mall, in the midday, it seemed more crowded than usual, this young mom was pushing her kid in a stroller, barreling towards me.  Or maybe I was walking towards her.  She said 'why won't you move'.  I was wondering the same as I was forced to move aside.  I said 'that's really rude'.  She continued on and  replied 'you're rude'.  As she turned the corner in the direction of the family washroom I yelled back 'I think you're rude'.

Not half an hour later I was strolling through a store.  Another mom pushing a stroller behind me said 'excuse me'.  I quickly moved aside and said 'oh sorry'.  She turned her head towards me as she went by and replied with a smile 'that's quite all right'.  What a difference a bit of politeness makes!

An Uncommon Politeness

I was at my step (aerobic) class last week.  It wasn't as crowded as it can be sometimes.  We enter and position our steps where there is room.  This lady turned to ask if she was in my way.  I was taken aback by her politeness.  There are some who will position their steps wherever and you will have to adjust your step sometimes to accommodate them.  I assured her she wasn't in my way, it was not even crowded.  She might have been of Japanese heritage, I heard how polite they can be in that country.  It was a small gesture that added a lift to my day.