Say Thank You...

I was pretty young when I learned that "you're supposed to hold doors open for people...it's courteous." Something so simple could actually make someone's day or contribute to someone labelling me "courteous or polite", perhaps even "nice." So, throughout the years, I've tried to be the gentleman and do those things that gentlemen do...hold the door for people (not just girls), offering my coat to my date, offering my chair to a person who would otherwise have no place to sit.

Now to the recipients of such acts...say THANK YOU! I can't tell you how many times I've held open a door for someone and did not hear anything polite. Just like they expected me to do it. It's times like this that I'm tempted to say "You're welcome" to teach them the error of their ways. It happened this past Saturday at a local restaurant. It's happened at church too, sadly enough. Gentlemen aren't easy to come by these days and it's no wonder if we don't appreciate them going out of their way to show some common decency.

It doesn't take long to say it, and it doesn't matter if you don't want their seat or their coat, or that someone else went out the door before or after you...even if you heard them say thank you. When you see these acts, reward the gentleman with those two simple words that make doing it worthwhile.

I am passing these values on to my kids because it's good for them to think of others. I don't want them to be selfish boys who only think of themselves and no one else. We're all brothers and sisters even though we're strangers. I would much rather see my kids hold open a door for a stranger than to see them let the door go right in front of someone without regard or respect. When you see them doing these things, reward them by acknowledging that they thought of you and that you noticed. Afterall, these are gentlemen in training. And it sure beats the alternative!

Misspellings...

Unfortunately, I experience this annoyance quite frequently. When people can't spell correctly and don't seem to care. When I was working at my first real job, I would be so annoyed by the management who would send out emails (that contained misspellings) to everyone in the department. So much so, that I began to think "you have to misspell to be in management!" That thought makes me chuckle a little now when I see misspellings. Thoughts like "they must be in management" or "trying for a management position?" come to mind.

I think it bothers me the most when it's committed by a developer of a web site or other application that people use. It's embarrassing to the entire company, provoking thoughts like "wow, must not be a professional company" or "can't afford a proofreader?" I shake my head whenever I find (and of course correct) one of these.

I value the ability to spell and think that I did quite well in school with regard to spelling. But in the digital age when a spell checker comes with nearly every program that allows you to type, can't we all just get it right?

Wash...

I've been annoyed about this one for quite some time...People who use the restroom and don't wash their hands afterwards. I see it happen frequently, even though there are signs "encouraging" people to do so. It's actually a sign showing how to do it! And there are two of them...one in English, the other in Spanish. They're right by the door as you're on your way out. How can you miss them?

I can just picture the life and travels of a germ as it is transferred from the toilet to the door and throughout the rest of the building. No wonder people open the bathroom door while holding a paper towel...they can't guarantee that everyone's done their job after doing their business. And no wonder people get sick.

Thankfully, my company has an automated hand sanitizer dispenser just outside the restroom door. But that's not a good reason not to WASH!

Coming Soon...

Frequently, I'll be setting up a video for my kids to watch and while getting everyone cozy, I'll hear from the TV..."Coming soon to DVD and Video..." Do the producers not realize that the "V" in DVD stands for video? Even the "V" in VHS stands for video. It's all video, if you think about it. The only difference is the physical format. The proper phrasing (in my opinion) should be "Coming soon to DVD and VHS..." Granted, it doesn't have the same ring to it. But it would be more correct.

Little Annoyances...

Because it's so easy to complain (and my other blog sites are awfully slow), I thought that I'd create a blog where I could just rant. I'll try not to get too overworked...just a little annoyed :)