The Older Man

Approaching the door to JC Penney, the older man noticed a woman coming from the other direction pushing a carriage and holding the hand of her four year old. It was obvious she would not be able to open the door. Reaching for the door it suddenly flew open and four teenagers came out laughing and horsing around almost knocking the woman over telling her to be more careful. The door shut before the woman could catch it, the older man grabbed it, held it for her, till she entered, and followed her in. The woman thanked him and went on her way.

The older man walked through JC Penney, into the mall; turned right, headed toward Bath and Body Works for the soap he had to get for his wife. The store was familiar to him as he had been in it many times, quickly retrieving the soap he headed for the cashier. There were only a few people in front of him and he would not have to wait long. A cell phone rang; the woman in front of him began fishing around in her bag, found the cell, and answered it.  Immediately, she became engaged in a phone conversation as the cashier was ringing up her purchases.  She was so engrossed in her phone conversation she had no idea what the cashier was saying. The cashier finally became frustrated with her, put her purchases aside, and looking at the older man said, “I’ll take you now.” Miss cell phone blocked him from moving to the counter and while still on the phone started an argument with the cashier. She kept telling the person on the phone how rude the cashier was. Shaking his head the older man put his purchases down and walked away.

Back in the main mall the older man headed for Yankee Candle. A women in a wheelchair, was partially blocking the doorway looking at a new display. Two women entering the store didn’t have enough room to pass and one bumped into the wheelchair. Looking down at the woman she stated, “You’re in the way. Why don’t you move over, so people can pass?” The two women went into the store and never looked back. The wheelchair suddenly turned around and struck the older man in the shin.  The women was embarrassed, immediately apologized to the older man, swung around him, and quickly wheeled out into the mall. Turning away from the store the older man headed back to JC Penney, walked to the door he had entered, held the door for another couple and went to his car.

Sitting in his car he wondered what happened to courtesy. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw someone hold the door open for another, or say thank you to someone. People complain in a restaurant if something is not right but never thank the server for the service. Talking on the cell phone seems to be the most important thing in the world to the detriment of the person right in front of them. Courtesy has been replaced by rudeness. People are in such a rush instead of helping others they blame them for being in the way. The world has become the me generation.  Holding the door for someone is old fashion and has no place in our modern world. Rudeness will  be tolerated as our time is too precious to waste on outdated practices.

Backing out of the space, a horn blared, and the older man slammed on his brakes. Looking in the rear view mirror, a blue sports car going the wrong way just missed his bumper. Pulling out into the lane the older man wondered if this new world was worth being in.