People sometimes have their personal reasons for feeling unsociable in a particular moment or situation. It's not an excuse; more like an explanation. Like Brenda, I also make up a story about why other people behave the way they do - because stories are what I do. I know there always is one, don't usually know what it is, but imagining possible situations helps me put things into perspective.
(And I'm very much aware of all the times I've blurted or retorted something inappropriate, or abrupt, or indiscreet, or even mean when I was ticked off, so I try to cut others a little slack for their lapses. When her grownup children had such a lapse, my favourite aunt used to say: "I must have been asleep when I was supposed to teach him that.")
I often notice little kids in supermarkets (It's not like I go much of anywhere else these days!) who are exuberant and tempted to cut up, being restrained by mothers or fathers, reminded to be aware of other people. You know what's funny? They tend to be at their nicest when shopping with a grandmother. Is that a story? I shop in a small city where children generally participate in civic activities. I think they become socialized at an early age, and the habit sticks.
I've encountered a lot more rude behaviour on the internet than in my physical neighbourhood.
Actually, on this site, I've been impressed by the level of civility that prevails. On the Ask a Question and Plant ID forums, most people who get answers, even unhelpful ones, say thank you. In Vegetable Gardening, everybody tries to give everybody else helpful advice, and pretty much everybody applauds everyone else's good outcomes.
I really appreciate that!
Good manners are still alive and well, at least in some small obscure corners of the earth.
