Common Courtesy

I tend to be a courteous and kind person. I say excuse me when necessary and try to open doors for people if they are close behind me, especially when they’re carrying several items. Every once in a while I witness a behavior that just does not sit right with me at all. It is not anything illegal or cruel, but an action that opposes respect for others and their well-being. Tonight I was walking to Memorial Gym near the Bookstore garage when I noticed a group of people waiting for a bus. They were crowded around the sign, chatting, and apparently did not see me approach. As I got closer, I thought at least one person would move aside so I could pass, but none did. This forced me to walk in the street late at night. Now I know I am not of any imposing stature, but there were lights around. They could have easily seen me and let me walk through their group for just a moment. However, they chose to blatantly disregard my well-being and carried on with their conversations. I think we all need to do a better job of recognizing other people when it comes to safety and respect, because they’re just as important as ourselves.