While I was reading one of the blogs I follow I came across a little story that I want to pass along. It originated on the blog Thought Catalog but was added onto by blogger Heather Clawson from Habitually Chic. It's about how we treat people in my opinion should always be practiced. It's called 10 things and here it is:
10 Things
1.
Don’t ever tell anyone they look tired.
Even if you mean well, don’t
say this to anyone ever, especially a woman.
And while you’re at it, don’t ever comment on something that someone
probably hopes you won’t see like a giant zit on their face or a snag in their
tights. They know it’s there and already
feel bad about it. Don’t make them feel worse.
2. Help people, and if you offer to help someone, follow though.
Do I really have time to email
introduce people or recommend them for a job?
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t but I do it regardless. I do unto others as I would have
them do unto me. I also know how hard it
is to make it in New York and I wish more people helped me when I moved here so
I do it whether I have time or not. I also hold doors open for little old ladies
and people with strollers. It feels
good.
3. Be kind to people who work in retail and food service.
I never worked as a waitress
but I did work in retail. It’s the
reason why I hang up everything I try on in a store and even button it back
up. Sales people are not paid enough to
clean up the mess you leave on the floor of a dressing room. And because I was lucky not to ever have to
wait tables, I always leave at least a 20% tip.
I also over tip the delivery guys who deliver my food. A few extra dollars could mean the world to
someone who is trying to support their family on minimum wage.
4. Let someone know you’re not interested.
Usually I’m on the receiving
end of this, not the other way around, so you’re on your own here. But again, perhaps the golden rule is a good
rule of thumb when it comes to all matters of dating and life in general.
5. Actually “hang out sometime.”
In busy New York, it’s easy to
say this and not do it but I’ve been trying to follow through recently. I’ve actually met a twitter friend for drinks
and hung out on a Saturday with someone new and their friends. It expands your world and it’s usually pretty
darn fun. But also know that sometimes it works out if you are spontaneous and
just say yes when someone asks if you’re free at the last minute.
6. Be a little more honest.
I’m an Aries. I’m honest to a fault. In this instance, I say be as honest as you
can be without hurting someone’s feelings.
7. Stop calling each other mean names on the internet.
Hiding behind “anonymous” and
being mean to strangers is not nice. I’ve
been on the receiving end of this many times and it’s not fun. After a while
you can let it slide off your back but it never gets any easier. It’s wise to remember that karma is always
watching and how would you feel if you were on the other end of the name
calling. To quote Justin Timberlake, “what goes around comes around.”
8. Send more letters (not emails) and gifts.
It’s easy to send a thank you
note but how much more thoughtful would it be to write to a friend and tell
them how much they mean to you or how proud of them you are for landing their
dream job, etc. My favorite quote from the original author of this list is too
good not to post here, “Because getting an unexpected birthday gift in
the mail from your friend who lives in Seattle feels like motherflocking
Dumbledore level magic.” Indeed.
Of course, if you are on the
receiving end, it’s always nice to acknowledge the gesture. I recently went out of my way to mail a card
and gift to someone and still haven’t received a thank you.
9. Give more genuine compliments.
You know how it makes your day when someone says they like your shoes or your hair looks nice so why not start noticing and complimenting your friends and strangers. Sometimes I think it’s even more exciting to receive a compliment from someone you don’t know than someone you do. But don’t forget it’s just as important to compliment someone on a job well done, as much as it is to compliment their handbag.
10. Have more patience while waiting in lines.
I think about this every time
I forget it will be crowded and go to the grocery store on a Monday night or
hear someone sighing loudly behind me in the post office line. You’re not helping anyone by being a pain or
worse, cutting the queue. (I’m talking to
you Upper East Siders at Maison Kayser.) In
our “I want it now” world, perhaps waiting in line is the universe’s way of
telling us we need to slow down. And while you’re waiting, why not compliment
the person in front of you on their choice of yogurt.
If we all think about these 10
little tips this holiday season, maybe we will make things easier not just for
everyone else but ourselves as well.
XOXO,
HC
habituallychic.blogspot.com
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