Hat Trick

Demand courtesy… Didn’t mean to be rude, it’s just the New York in me.

—Jig3125

People say New Yorkers are rude.

Of course, what one person calls direct, another person calls aggressive.

Funny how that works.

The thing is, courtesy and bluntness aren’t always enemies.

Sometimes they’re roommates.

You can hold the door open and still tell somebody they’re standing in the wrong place.

You can say thank you and keep walking.

You can care about people without wrapping every sentence in decorative ribbon.

That’s the hat trick.

Kind.

Honest.

Efficient.

Not necessarily in that order.

So if we seem a little direct, don’t take it personally.

We’re probably trying to help.

Or save time.

Or both.

Demand courtesy.

Offer courtesy.

Try not to mistake honesty for hostility.

And if we accidentally sound rude…

Our apologies.

It’s just the New York in us.

— JIG3125