I reached my boiling point the other day, and I felt like shouting it from the rooftops. It was a bright, sunny morning, and I was stuck in my car with my three kids, who were testing my patience as they often do. As we waited at a stoplight, I glanced over at the mom next to me, who was struggling to get a straw into a juice pack. She looked frazzled, probably because her toddler was in the backseat causing chaos, and all she wanted was to get to her destination without losing her mind. I gave her a nod of understanding.
We’ve all been there, right? I could tell she was trying to keep a smile on her face, even though it was only 10 a.m. And I knew she didn’t need the impatient driver behind her to lay on the horn the moment the light turned green. But that’s exactly what he did, oblivious to her situation. It startled us both and undoubtedly added to her stress.
Look, I get it—you’re in a hurry. We all are. But if the light changes and the car in front of you doesn’t take off immediately, maybe just wait a couple of seconds before honking like a maniac. Sometimes, they might be picking something up off the floor or just catching their breath. There’s no need to unleash your road rage on them.
And nothing grinds my gears more than stepping into a restaurant and witnessing the staff being treated poorly. These individuals work incredibly hard. Sure, they’re paid to clean up to some extent, but that doesn’t mean you should treat the place like a tornado hit it and leave without cleaning up after yourself. If you’re the type to make a mess and leave no tip, well, that’s a total jerk move.
It’s easy to forget that the people serving us are just that—people. They have lives outside of work. Maybe that server is a college student trying to cover tuition, or a parent working multiple jobs to feed their kids. Treating them with respect and kindness, especially when they are overwhelmed, can make a world of difference.
We might have bigger issues to contend with in society, but it all begins with how we treat each other. A little civility goes a long way. It’s concerning to see so many people focused solely on their own needs, while our children are watching and learning from us.
None of us can be perfect all the time. We all have our bad days, but what message are we sending when we lash out at that frazzled mom in traffic or the busy server at dinner? We can all strive to show a bit more grace, hold doors open, and offer a kind word. It doesn’t cost anything—it just takes a bit of effort.
If you find yourself acting out in frustration, remember that your kids are watching. They’ll learn from your behavior, and the world doesn’t need more jerks. So next time you feel the urge to be unkind, take a breath and set a better example.
And speaking of better examples, if you’re interested in boosting your fertility, check out our post on fertility supplements at Make a Mom. Additionally, for those wondering about introducing foods like asparagus to babies, you might find valuable insights at Intracervical Insemination. For comprehensive pregnancy and home insemination resources, Kindbody is an excellent site to explore.
In summary, let’s strive to treat each other with kindness and respect. The world would be a much better place if we all committed to not being jerks.