Basic courtesy / sensitivity / do not let others make you look ugly.

 
I was at the boarding gate “scanning machine point” this morning for a flight to Surabaya.

There were 4 people in front of me and they were talking, laughing and taking their own sweet time in taking off their belts, jacket, watches etc, oblivious of the queue behind them.

I was annoyed and I am sure it showed on my face. Well nothing can be done, so I just waited.

It was then my turn. I reached out for a plastic container to put my watch, belt and handphone ; and suddenly, this middle aged lady with her branded hand-bag, jacket and 2 plastic bags just “jumped-queue” to the front of me and started unpacking her stuff to be put on the container.

Unbelievable !! I had to wait again ? I was already ready to be scanned, and it was MY TURN !!

With anger, I took my container , walked pass her and shoved my hand carry and container thru the machine agressively.

Later, sitting in the plane, I realized that I was being petty and there was no need for me do what I did. It was infact a small matter.

It was ugly and I realized that I had just behaved in a bad manner merely because of the insensitivity of others. What did I hope to achieve ? What did I want to prove ? Simply to beat her in the queue ?

I have thus been upset, displayed an ugly behavior and wasted some precious “emotional calmness” for myself.

Perhaps in this lady’s mind, she did not even know she was wrong and she did not even care what I did.

The point is – do not let other peoples’ weaknesses, lack of courtesy or misbehaviour bring out any anger or ugliness in us (as a reaction or a response). It is not worth it and if we allow ourselves to become ugly, we then become “one of them” too.

PS : Applicable in meetings and our daily interaction in our professional lives too.
28 Feb 2016