Source: YouTube

Recently, I read about two cafes that really made me think how busy or important people must really think they are to make rude acceptable.

Back in July 2016, a cafe in Virginia where the barista put out a sign that rewarded customers for being polite, and charged more for those who would otherwise be rude. A cafe in Nice, France did the same thing back in 2013.

Although the signs were a joke it really seems strange that even the simplest of things requires people to be reminded to be polite and behave with good manners.

It highlights, at least to me, how disconnected and disengaged from life people really can be. It appears that so many people get swept up in the everyday busyness, fueled by the instant gratification of social media and the now-economy.

“Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.” – Tommy Lee Jones

When did people stop feeling the need to make connections, even simple ones, with others?

How often do you say hello, even to a complete stranger? When was the last time you asked how someone was with genuine interest, regardless of whether you knew them or not? How often do you say please and thank you? When was the last time you gave a sincere compliment to someone, just because?

When was the last time you took an interest in another person, another human being, and made even a simple connection?

“For me, politeness is a sine qua non of civilization.” – Robert A. Heinlein

Simple things such as these go a long way and can make a difference in someone else’s day. Start giving more interest to others and connect with them. Have a quick chat, make some small talk, be interested in them.

You never know, you might make someone’s day. You even might get a discounted coffee.