linusvanpelt

I like to think I am a exceedingly polite person. I don't brag about many things about myself, but that's one I feel like I am an example-setter on. Sometimes being polite in a world of impolite people can be a detriment. Last week, in the parking lot of Wegmanns (a supermarket which has the rudest shoppers by far) a woman in a minivan nearly ran me over while she was backing out of her space (while on her cell phone, mind). After I dodged her car, I shook my head slightly, more out of surprise than anything else. Well. She decided it was the right thing to do (after breaking at least two NJ driving laws--no cell phone, pedestrians having the right of way) to yell something at me ("asshole" was at the end of it). I thought about pointing out that she was in the wrong, but I didn't (it was close to 100 degrees out, so I had even less fight than normal in me). Now, that woman was probably more negligent than rude (though I will file it there), but I now wish I had called her out on it (though I doubt it would have accomplished anything--I doubt she would have seen the errors of her ways).

Today, I was at a different supermarket (Stop N Shop, if you must know--and I assume you do) checking out at one of those checkout lanes where you do all the work, sans clerk. I was trying to put my stuff in bags so I could pay when a gentleman started trying to use the same lane I was in. I politely told him I was not done yet (a lot of people would have gone right to snotty anger, but I am not that way). He then "harrumphed" as if I was somehow impeding upon him. As I went to pay the man decided it prudent to stand less than a foot away from me. Again, I should have told him to back off, but I didn't. What is the matter with me? Or, is it, what is the matter with him? Did his parents not raise him right? Was/is he not raising his own kids right? Or am I overthinking this?

I don't ask nor expect people on this planet to leave a positive mark on the world (leaving it better than we find it), but I do sorta think people should at least not make things worse. I truly think if people would try harder to not invade people's personal space and just try to do the right thing most of the time Earth would be a better place (though what options do we really have?)

Saw Squeeze and the B52s last night in Atlantic City (ending on a happier note). Both were great. It was a good idea that they each played for about 70 minutes or so (concerts, to me, are almost never too short and are often too long--look at me bitching and moaning). Both bands were really tight and, since both have been around for closing in on 40 years(!) the amount of energy they still have is inspirational.