It’s not just etiquette, but that is important. It’s about treating people the way you would like to be treated, or better.
Help the little old lady cross the street with her little old dog. It’s a crosswalk I had put in and no-one stops so I will be that little old lady and will thank you in print and in person. I wave nicely to anyone (few) who stops or at least slows down.
Say please and thank you, good morning and good evening and good night in at least three languages. Mine are English, Italian, French and Greek. And Scot, which is not really English, give me a Tennants, Scots, next time I’m there.
If you find a stray dog, take it to the nearest humane society and ask for their chip reader. Most dogs have a rice-sized chip behind their neck that will connect you to their crazed and frightened owner who is in his car looking all over town because he left the garage door open.
Always open doors for parents with strollers and groceries and a dog. Hold elevators. Know that they have a huge load including diaper bag and be glad you’re not doing that any more.
The person you see on the street that looks like Mick Jagger in the 70’s is not homeless, he’s making a statement. Once I tried to give a pair of gloves to a homeless person on 3rd Ave. in Manhattan in the middle of winter and he said “I only need one.” As I walked to my hotel I burst into tears. I had no use for one glove and he had no use for two but he let it go. It made me cry.
Be kind to your fellow people, the ex-spouses and in-laws, siblings, ex-friends. Give it up. If we all did this there would be no school shootings or terrorist bombings. Think about it now that NSA, HSA, CIA, FBI, TSA have read this because I used the word terrorist.
I believe in the best in people until they prove otherwise. That belief has hurt me in the past. You know the neighbor who talks your ear off, and the lady at the coffee shop who just seems “down” for a day. You can afford to give them a break. Just a wink and a smile, Jimmy Durante, make someone happy, also from Dee
Cooking with Dee 