How necessary is it to you to take everything seriously? What if you didn’t take to heart every instance of perceived rudeness? May I suggest that you be more considerate of another person even when they are rude?
You must think that something is at stake in your life that you insist upon every consideration you are entitled to. You may be absolutely right that another person needs to be more considerate of you. When this is the case, will you then be extra considerate of the other person even when he wasn’t considerate of you? When consideration is lacking, perhaps this is time for you to be the most courteous of all. If you want to give the other person a lesson, there is no better way than by example.
If another person literally steps on your toes and does not say, “Excuse me,” then you say it. You say, “Excuse me,” and say it with a smile. If someone borrows something of yours without asking you, perhaps you can say, “What else can I offer you?” Think a moment of the difference in the two scripts, one with a retort and one with extreme courtesy. Do you really want to follow a script of taking offense and being equally rude or would you like to be a pioneer who offers a generous heart?
Perhaps you are dealing with life as you have always dealt with life. Perhaps now is the time to find new alternatives, ways that do not cut between you and the other person. Perhaps you are really seeing someone else than the person in front of you, someone perhaps from the past that you had to defend yourself from. Do you really have to defend yourself from this person across from you who was thoughtless for a moment in time and space?
And if the other person does not respond genially to you, what have you lost? You presented an opportunity for harmony. What matters most is your response to life and not another’s. Think of it. You rose above a situation. You did not respond in kind. You responded as a true lady or gentleman. There is a lot to be said for manners. True courtesy never goes out of style.
If you want to be more than ordinary, then you will be creative and original. You will be novel. Your responses will be unexpected. You will be a delightful surprise, perhaps even to yourself.
Today is a new day, and you can be new. You can come from a different place. You can be agreeable rather than disagreeable. I think you would like to be. I think you would like to be gracious and uplift the world. I know you would. I know you would like to be the leader of the pack, and that calls for your being a shining light on Earth. You break the mold. You smoke a peace pipe. You turn life around. You are a magician in life. You are a master diplomat and inspirer of good action. No longer do you react in the same way you are treated. You have become a cut above.
There is no merit in tit for tat. No merit unless someone has been wonderful to you, and you respond in kind.
When someone’s words or actions are less than exemplary, all the more reason for your words and actions to be generous. I will go so far as to say divine. Take all the good will that is in Heaven and make use of it on Earth. This I ask of you. This I ask.