Common Courtesy

 

Months ago, 

I was getting gas at the corner gas station 

When two guys drove up and asked the store worker 

If they could throw a large box into the store‘s dumpster. 

It was evidently a heavy box because it took both guys to throw it in the bin,

But they simply threw it away and left,

All while I was pumping my gas. 

 

I have no idea why I remember this moment so vividly. 

Yet every day when I drive by the gas station,

I think about it. 

 

I’ve never once questioned what was in the box, 

Although that might be an interesting brainstorm. 

I think I just thought it nice that they asked

Before throwing their trash into the dumpster.

I imagine that a lot of people have trash to throw away

That won’t fit into the garbage bins that trash pick-up companies use.

And I imagine that most people don’t have memberships at the dump.

So I imagine that a lot of people use commercial dumpsters unauthorized.

Yet, these guys thought to ask.

A common courtesy, I suppose. 

And I guess maybe why their actions stuck out to me so much. 

 

As a society, 

It seems that we’re moving away from common courtesy 

And into rugged individualism. 

We seem more and more concerned about ourselves and our own needs and rights 

Than the needs of those around us. 

 

It’s wearing headphones or turning the volume down when you’re in a waiting room and watching your phone.

It’s holding the door for someone behind you.

It’s asking someone their opinion rather than dominating the conversation.

It’s letting the person behind you go ahead of you in line if they only have one or two things and you have a full cart.

It’s not leaning your chair back completely when you’re on a plane.

 

It’s not posting your first response of anger or engaging in malicious arguments on social media.

It’s refusing to spread a rumor or deciding to set facts straight when misinformation is being shared. 

It’s realizing that you have room to grow and that there is always another side to the story.

It’s simple things that don’t necessarily cost money. 

It’s common humanity that doesn’t sacrifice the core values of love and respect. 

 

May we be people of common courtesy and respect

Who remember our common humanity 

And our call to be good stewards of the earth and of one another. 

 

Amen.