In 1795, an immigrant complained that “civility cannot be purchased from Americans on any terms; they seem to think it is incompatible with freedom”.\u00a0 – John F. Kasson<\/p>\n
Kasson nailed it over 200 years ago and his message applies today more than ever.\u00a0 In the rampant, ideologically “patriotic” quest for individualism America has really become a nation of “me time”, “all about me” and “what about me”?\u00a0 Zero courtesy for others.\u00a0 Worse, this individualism and lack of respect for others is embraced and promoted by certain ideological groups in the United States.\u00a0 I owe no one anything<\/strong>.\u00a0 That is the lame, narcissistic position now embraced by many Americans.<\/p>\n Everyone has an example: the lazy, slow moving women in the check out line taking YOUR time, not hers.\u00a0 The guy who leaves his car at the crowded pumps so he can spend 20 minutes shopping in the convenience store.\u00a0 Hell, everyone knows the jackass reducing the flow of traffic because of exercising their “right” to be in the wrong lane.\u00a0 Americans lack of respect for others might be at an all time high.<\/p>\n At one time in history this type of discourteous behavior created embarrassment, scorn from the community and local society. \u00a0 I’m embarrassed for them.\u00a0\u00a0 I won’t even get into the misuse and tangled use of terms like “socialist” when applied to those who point out you can’t infringe upon the rights of others to exercise your own.\u00a0 I’m also embarrassed by how across the American landscape people have become so self-absorbed in general.\u00a0 You are not going to be famous.\u00a0 You are not as special to society as you believe.\u00a0 You might be reading this blog and I don’t even know your name, never will.\u00a0 That is how truly insignificant most of us are.\u00a0 Go jump from the bow of a ship into the open ocean.\u00a0 Drive into a class 5 tornado.\u00a0 Get back to us with your delusions of grandeur and let us know how much material wealth and self image did to save you.\u00a0 Luckily we will be spared such narrative for despite your perceived invincibility, you are human.\u00a0 In certain circumstances you will be humbled to death without help from others.<\/p>\n Yet in most American’s minds we are special.\u00a0 People look towards us because we are wonderful.\u00a0 We’re Americans, the whole world is filled with envy, or so I’m told.\u00a0 Most Americans current moment and activity is all they are worried about so hell, it’s all the world should be worried about right?\u00a0 Because it’s your world.\u00a0 Um, no dipshit, it’s our world<\/strong>.\u00a0 Many could do themselves some good by traveling outside their own mental cocoon, usually built as a security blanket, and realize they live and move among others.\u00a0 Other people who don’t want to wait on you.\u00a0 Other people who’s time you are wasting.\u00a0 No, do not “take your time”.\u00a0 Hurry the fuck up.\u00a0 Be efficient in your public activities.\u00a0 Politely and courteously get out of the path of others.<\/p>\n Also stop pretending their is no community.\u00a0 Margret Thatcher lied.\u00a0 It’s all around you.\u00a0 Those people waiting behind you at the checkout line while you dick around, consuming their time – they are part of your community.\u00a0 Yes you have a right to travel 5MPH under the limit in the slow lane.\u00a0 I have a right to flip you off and call you a discourteous asshole when you earn it.\u00a0 Indeed I believe the right many Americans now exercise the most is the right to be a self absorbed asshole…. with a selfie stick.<\/p>\n This all comes down to empathy, (n<\/em>) “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another”.\u00a0 A definition Americans could stand to learn.\u00a0 Too many now mistakenly think the word empathy is interchangeable with the word pussy.\u00a0\u00a0 It is not.\u00a0 Empathy purveys strength.\u00a0 If you don’t understand that you have some work to do on your social skills.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 1795, an immigrant complained that “civility cannot be purchased from Americans on any terms; they seem to think it is incompatible with freedom”.\u00a0 – John F. Kasson Kasson nailed it over 200 years ago and his message applies today more than ever.\u00a0 In the rampant, ideologically “patriotic” quest for individualism America has really become … Continue reading Sorry to say, Americans lack common courtesy and empathy.<\/span>