Therapeutic power of courteousness
Something unusual happened to me at the supermarket the other day. The place was packed and people were anxious to grab what they wanted and get away. As I waited my turn at a plastic bag dispenser, the elderly woman ahead of me tore off a bag and, instead of keeping it to herself, offered it to me with a smile.The gesture was spontaneous and completely unexpected. I know it sounds piffling, but this minor moment put a shine on the day. As I went about my shopping I found myself being more thoughtful of others than is my usual state of mind in the free-for-all known as the supermarket. it was a simple demonstration of the therapeutic power of courtesy. I bet she felt just as pleased as I did. (Source of quote: The Penguin Book of Etiquette by Marion Von Adlerstein) The other day in Aldi I let a young girl go before me as she only had a couple of items (I think she was shopping for her mum) and I had a bag full. She looked surprised and happy, perhaps because not t...