Posts tagged NYC

DEAR HUMANS

Look, I get it, I live here: we’re all busy, rushing, looking for a shortcut, an easier way to do things; we’re looking to save time, save energy, shave an extra millisecond off of whatever we’re doing so we can add an extra millisecond to something else we’re planning; we’re looking to push the boundary of what we can get accomplished in a preset amount of time; we are so singularly focused on what we have to do that sometimes we are oblivious to what we are actually doing. THAT is NYC! And God love it! I do.

But when… when did we get so insularly involved, so self-centric that we forgot that we inhabit this tiny, frenzied world with other organisms. HUMANS! HALT! Stop what you’re doing; freeze where you; look around you. That guy who’s opening the door for you, that you saw as an opportunity and not a gesture, say “thank you” to him. Instead of cutting in front of that woman, in that minuscule space between her and the edge of the subway platform, recognize she’s performing a polite deed, stepping out of the way of the crush of people about to get off the train. Don’t take advantage of that.

I know you got jaded, I know you’ve been on the receiving end and got worn down, or gave up, but you just have to be decent. I mean, we all agree that being nice is better than being a jerk, whether actively or passively, right? Now repeat after me: “THANK YOU.” Very good, you’re getting it. Easy enough to remember. Now: “EXCUSE ME.” Excellent! Now, I know it’s asking a lot, but you can also SMILE! Ah, well, that may take a little more practice. But you get the idea… 

In short, what I really mean to say is, you can be in a hurry, you can be busy, you can be distracted, just don’t be a dick.