The latest

So, I have been not so good at updating this blog so here is the latest.

Thoughts:

Manners – I will touch on this again because apparently the citizens of New York, while they are a bunch of very intelligent people, seem to lack basic social decency. This morning a man (business man dressed in a suit, mind you) pushed me out of the way to get out of the train. I’m not sure how he was raised, but most people would consider this is very rude. First of all, I was in front of you, therefore I should get out first and second of all what ever happened to the concept of ladies first? Then after pushing me and shoving a few others out of the way he proceeded to walk very slow and got passed by everyone. Was that really necessary? Nope, didn’t think so.

While I’m on the subject of commuting… Every morning I walk through Grand Central on my way from the subway to my office. I have a total love-hate relationship with Grand Central Station. Obviously the hate side is rather obvious. There are always a million people and they are always all walking in different directions. You can never get anywhere because some one is always in your way and tramples your foot with their suit case. One of the best things is the view of the station from up above – it is quite a strange sight, it is like watching ants in an ant farm. Everyone is walking but they never seem to get anywhere, it is as if they are stuck in a glass case. Often when I come down the escalator after work I can’t help but giggle at the sight of all the people scurrying around, they look absolutely mad. Another thing I hate is the tourists. Yes, it is a beautiful place worthy of taking a photo, but why oh why must you do it during rush hour when people are trying to go to work? I always walk through their pictures on purpose. I wonder how many I have been tagged as “rando” in?
The love side – although I hate the crowds and the idiotic tourists I rather enjoy Grand Central (and midtown) because I truly feel like I am part of the working world, the New York scene. Every day on my lunch I like to walk around and people watch. There are so many different types of people out and everybody is co-existing together. It is nice to feel like I am a part of something.

Life.
It is funny how your life can change. I have been back in New York for a year now and my life has totally changed. It is nice to see how this can happen because when you are feeling down you never think you will be happy again, but if you give it time and have a positive attitude you will find happiness again. The key is to love yourself and to always think positive. If all else fails, simply follow the "The Optimist Creed." My boss has a copy on the wall by her desk and it really does help. Here is one of my favorite lines:

“Promise yourself to be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.”

What ever happened to manners?

I really do wonder this every day. People are so rude now a days that it is disgusting. The saddest part is that we as young adults of the 21st century are so jaded that we do not even notice the lack of basic human decency that we are receiving. We have become so accustomed to being treated badly that it makes a basic kind gesture seem shocking. This is not how the world should be. While I am a modern woman of my time in many ways, I still think there is a set a rules that people must follow. When you eat dinner at someone’s house you should eat what you are served no matter if you like it or not. When you get a gift or stay with someone for a few days you should write a thank you note. You should always put your napkin on your lap at dinner. You should help those less fortunate than you in whatever way that you can. Donate money, lend a hand or help out a sick person. These are just basic manners. The other day on her way to work my mother heard a lady cry out for help. She had fallen on the steps down to the subway and had twisted her ankle. Instead of just walking by like all of the other people did, my mom took a few minutes out of her day to help this lady. Together with the help of another good Samaritan they called her an ambulance and waited until she was in the hands of the EMS before continuing on to work. Even though she was on her way to work and a bit pressed for time she still took a few minutes to help someone else. This is what we should expect from other people, but sadly it is a rare commodity.
Another thing I’ve learned about the 21st century and people’s lack of manners is that people do not care. I went to Vermont at the end of May for UVM graduation and to catch up with old friends. A great time was had by all, I always enjoy being back in Vermont, it feels like home to me in many ways. I missed a lot of things about living there. One thing is did not miss, however, is the ignorance of many people there. Some people say that ignorance is bliss, well I disagree I believe ignorance is a lack of caring about others. There are people who are ignorant to the ways of the world - they may not have been exposed to much diversity and they are afraid of things that are different from what they know. This is not their fault but that does not mean it is okay to make inappropriate comments. At a friends party in Vermont one guy called another guy a name. It is a word I hate and I do not tolerate people saying it in my presence. I asked him kindly if he could refrain from saying that word in front of me to which he responded “it’s a regular part of my vocabulary, that is going to be very difficult,” and then he proceeded to use the word just to spite me. I don’t care who you are or how you were raised this is inexcusable. If someone is offended by something you say you just don’t say it that is called respect. Also you should not go around saying offensive comments try to look cool, it is not cool at all, it is pathetic and you should not get away with it.
Last weekend I met nothing but rude people everywhere – hopefully this weekend might bring about a more decent crowd – I won’t hold my breath!