Quit It, Part II

I’m getting nowhere fast on becoming a morning person. I’m up in the morning but not entirely personable.

Now I understand why the morning commute has such a bad rep: there’s a whole world of people who are half-awake, distracted and (in my case) over-caffeinated. Luckily I don’t have a commute, beyond walking up the block to a local café. And while I’m there (I love the new place!), everything feels right with the world. However, once I get to the town square, I can’t help but notice that most people around me are clueless. So, here’s another 10 items on my list of things NOT to do:

11. When you’re walking down the street (or for those of you who are not city folk, in a mall), do not stop walking without first making sure there isn’t a stream of people behind you. If you need to take a moment, step aside, my friend. Otherwise, you can expect a stroller, shopping cart, or over-caffeinated pedestrian to crash into you.

12. Same goes with stepping off an escalator. That is NOT the time to stop and check your cell phone or make sure you have your car keys with you. Keep moving.

13. And speaking of cell phones… when you’re “up” at a cashier (or bank teller, or toll booth, or the front of the line in a fast food place), get off the phone. I’m the one behind you who (a) doesn’t care to hear your conversation and (b) wants to get on with my day. If you were that important, someone else would be doing your errands for you. So, put down the phone and interact with the human in front of you.

14. Please don’t talk on your cell phone at a café. A brief conversation is one thing but “stage calling” – letting everyone around you know that just because you are by yourself you are not a loser – is so… well, for losers.

15. Take your iPod headphones out of your ears when you are talking with a cashier.

16. When you put the headphones back in your ears, don’t sing along.

17. Don’t forget to bus your own table at a self-serve place, so the next person (that would be me) doesn’t have to clean up after you.

18. Don’t ask me “Are you in line?” when I’m in line.

19. Don’t stop me on the street and ask me questions like “Do you have a moment to save the planet?” or “Would you like to help starving children?” when what you really want to know is, “Can you give me some money?”

20. Do not, under any circumstances, take yourself so seriously that you forget to be nice.

Until next time,

Conna