Disclaimer: All characterizations appearing in this work are hypothetical. Any resemblance to actions and ideas of real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Sometimes in life it’s necessary to give more than 100% – to “bend over backwards” for someone who is going through a tough time or just having a bad day.  We do this, not for gold stars or accolades, but because we’re human and sometimes we have bad days and tough times too.  We commiserate – we relate – we sympathize.  It’s a good thing to do.

We don’t go out of our way for someone in order to garner attention and praise, but that doesn’t mean that we want our efforts to be completely unrecognized and ignored either.  Without a specific quid pro quo situation being invoked, we just simply would like to think that our effort – our understanding – is merely appreciated.  It would be nice if when a person displays exceptional understanding, a thank you was given. 

I do say thank you to people who give me space and understanding when I need it.  Not because I think I’m undeserving of space and understanding, or that space and understanding is not my inalienable right as a human, but because I like to thank other people for acknowledging my humanity by acting in a humane way to me.  I like to return respect with respect.  If I’ve somehow inconvenienced someone, even if it wasn’t intentional or my fault, I apologize.  It isn’t all about me.

People we work with, live with, and interact with on a daily basis do annoying and irritating things.  We all do. Again, you put up with minor irritations in society so that in return, other people will tolerate your irritating behaviors, whether intentional or not.  We all have preferences, desires, and needs that don’t always mesh with those of the people around us. We have to give a little to get a little.  We accommodate other people’s idiosyncracies so that our quirks will also be tolerated.  Or so I thought.

This kind of courtesy seems to be an endangered species in our society.  I’ve even been accused of being too nice.  Anyone who has read more than two posts on this blog knows that to not be the case, but I like to think that I’m a courteous and polite person.  I try. I expect others to try also. I expect my children to try.  Is that too much to ask for in 2010?

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