pul-eeze, you're not alone in this world

Aren't good manners just good common sense? Or common courtesy? Or something that people should know without being told?

I get in an elevator. It's full. There's a person having a loud conversation, in a foreign language. Not that the language spoken matters. But it's even more irritating if I have no idea what's being said. 

I'm in a bathroom stall at work. The person in the stall next to mine has her phone tuned to a salsa song. Volume turned up. What if I don't like salsa? What if I want to pee in silence? Why should I be subjected to someone eles's music in a public bathroom?

People in the work cafeteria use their smart phones as TV's. I don't want to hear audio from some show. Or some hilarious youtube video. Or mumbled words from your best friend's wedding. Maybe I'd like to eat in silence. Or have a conversation I can hear. 

I go to Agata, or Starbucks, and people have their phones to their ears — or worse, walk around empty handed with a bluetooth connection. As they pay the cashier, they continue talking, as if the person helping them is invisible. How can they not know how rude this is?

And please, leave your phones behind at the dinner or restaurant table. Unless your wife or child is about to give birth, or you're waiting for that call that will truly change your life, it's disruptive and inconsiderate. Eat alone if your friends/family are less important than what you might be missing on your phone.

Don't only call me to chat while you're driving. Occasionally, sure, but not all the time. It makes me feel like you're squeezing me in because really, while you're driving, you have nothing else to do.

And don't get angry when I ask you to stop unloading the dishwasher or peeling potatoes while we're talking to me. You may feel the need to multi-task, but all I hear are loud, amplified nosies.

Don't wish me a happy birthday via text, Facebook, or email if you're a family member or a close friend. Call.

And finally, if I take the time to get you a gift, take the time to acknowledge it. A call or written note is nice. A text is not.

The end.