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Oct 27 - Nov 3,2002 |
Culture Vulture
My turn to be rude
By Donna Lypchuk
Originally Published: 2002-10-06
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Not all cabbies are rude and inconsiderate
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OK. MY feelings are hurt. All week I have been treated like I don't exist, or like the object of somebody's resentment. I was raised to be polite, to be considerate of others and keep my body fluids and diseases to myself. I am no Miss Manners, but lately I am thinking the whole of society needs a course in basic etiquette. Unless you go to the GAP or Red Lobster who have rigorous rules regarding the attitude of their employees, you are almost guaranteed to be shot a dirty look by a waiter or a clerk.
This kind of employee has never heard the axiom "if you are going to do something do it well." It is like they have been hypnotized by countless episodes of Friends into believing that they are too GOOD to be working and should be sitting around in a coffee shop on pogey being sarcastic to each other all day.
OK. After months of biting my tongue it is MY turn to be rude.
Why do you have to pick your nose on the subway? Haven't you heard of a Kleenex? I think streetcar drivers should keep a box of Kleenex to hand out to sneezing, coughing, nose-picking TTC riders who seem to think it is OK to share the magic of their nasal spray with others. Same thing goes with spitting on the street.
Also, what's with cab drivers these days? Every time you get in a cab, they are too busy talking into their cell phone to pay attention to where they are going. I can't believe the number of times I've gotten into a cab and then spent most of the ride wondering if he sees that kid on a bike, or if he is going to miss the next turn while he yacks away. Shouldn't this activity be against the law? It is nice to know that your safety is the last thing on the driver's mind when you get into a car. Like spraying your germs all over someone else, this kind of carelessness is no less rude than ATTEMPTED MURDER.
Then there are those things that you used to take for granted, but you just can't expect anymore. For instance, in 1996 or so, you didn't have to BEG a waiter for a glass of water to go with your meal. It would just appear on the table. What's the deal with that? It's not like there is a shortage of water in this country. I think you are not supposed to irritate the waiters with unnecessary requests or they might get tired or irritated or something.
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