I always joke that I have a seeming double standard when it comes to bad behavior. Of course, mine is always excused.
If someone cuts me off in line at Harris Teeter, or Starbucks they are selfish bastards. When, on the other hand, it is I who is impatiently cutting people off, well that’s just different. I’m in a real hurry, see.
I never think that maybe they are late for an important appointment, or maybe rushing to someone’s aid.
I notice this of myself especially in traffic. I am very prone to cutting people off, tailgating and the like. How many times have other drivers shown me grace, by not honking, not flipping me off, not glaring, when I am the offender? And what is my first response when I am the offended? Let’s just say grace is the farthest thing from my mind.
I have found this is a common phenomenon. For instance, I am the only one who’s snappishness is justified. That is because I know the reason for it. If I knew the reason that the new lady was brusque, and seemed rude was because she was mulling over the fight she had just had with her husband, or because she just found out that she had cancer, I might be a little more understanding.
c. 2010
Gretchen Rubin’s Gifts for the Home
5 days ago
So it's not just me? ^_^ I hate it when people tailgate me too, but when I do it it's okay. Sometimes, when I realize I'm doing it, I end up having to give myself a pep talk. For instance: "Don't get too close. You know YOU don't like it when somebody gets too close to YOU!" LOL - it obviously doesn't work because I keep doing it!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing! Double standard. I'm the worst when it comes to impatient driving - other drivers annoy me most of the time - but I quickly dismiss my own annoying driving habits, especially when I'm in a hurry. It's hard to try to think of what another person may be going through in his/her day to give them a break. This post reminds me to pay attention to my own double standard. :)
ReplyDeletei'm so glad to know i'm not the only one!....b
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