5 Ways to Battle Curmudgeons

Can I get on my soapbox for just a minute?

There is nothing more aggravating to me than after work, in a bit of a hurry, stopping in the grocery for a few minor items I need for dinner, and encountering a rude, noncommunicative, nearly hateful cashier as I wait in line. Watching her/him be rude, noncommunicative, and nearly hateful to those in front of me. 

She/he better NOT be that way with me or I'll have something to say to a manager, I think to myself.

UGHHH!!! RUDE MAKES ME MAD!

Pet Peeve: If you work in a service oriented job, of any kind, just BE NICE! How hard is that? Those little monsters who can be rude, hateful, spiteful, or any other ill mannered thing are something we will continue to have to battle. 

THEN, As I'm Seeing Red....waiting my turn so I can have something to complain about

Another thought comes to mind

A thought of a day not too long ago, when I had several not so good things happen all within close proximity to one another which put me in a somewhat, to say the least, agitated mood. I was a bit stressed too, which doesn't make me that pleasant to be around. (I know, you're shocked right?)

 I wanted to cry, but there was no time.
 I wanted to fix the problems, but there was no time
 I HAD to get to work. 
 I had to GET THROUGH work.
So, I sucked it up, put my big girl panties on and went on my way for the rest of the day.

Guess what path that thought led me down?

YEP! I realized, just one person before it was my turn, I have no idea what has happened in this cashier's day, week, family, or life before my little bitty self came to stand in their line. 

OUCH! Here I was all ready to give the manager the what for about the rude, hateful cashier, when all of a sudden I realize, I have no idea what this cashier, no this person's life is like. What happened before I entered the store. Maybe she had a meeting with her boss to ask for a raise and she was turned down flat, even though she can barely pay her bills.

Ouch! Here I was all ready to give the manager the what for about the rude, hateful cashier, when all of a sudden I realize I no nothing about this cahier, no this human's life. Maybe he had a fight with his wife because he couldn't stay home with their sick baby because he makes more money than his wife, even though she is really exhausted from being home with the baby for three days already.

                                The point is this

◘ There is no way to know what this person is experiencing
◘ There is no way to know what may have happened before my arrival
◘ I don't know what I don't know
◘ There is no way to know, period

So, the next time I run into someone who is less than pleasant, 
 Here are five simple things I plan to use the next time I encounter that not so nice person:

1. remember to smile
2. remember to speak pleasantly
3. remember to say a prayer for them
4. remember to choose how I respond
5. remember warmth, empathy, and respect for everyone, regardless of how they act

Perhaps, by remembering and doing these 5 simple things, Curmudgeon Day can be changed into Curing a Curmudgeon Day!! ☺

HAPPY CURMUDGEON DAY!!!

The world can use more kindness; 
Won't you share this post so others have the tools they need to 'battle' curmudgeons?!