h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In order:

I tend to not give money to those begging on the street, whether they be what my 12th grade English teacher called "vagabonds" or people supposedly asking for donations to legitimate charities. This is partially for personal protection - in DC and NYC, if you give someone some money, particularly if they're asking for themselves, it's quite possible they will hound you during your visit, and that can get dangerous (this happened on one field trip to DC when I was about 12 where this one guy just *wouldn't* leave us alone after we gave him a fiver). There's also always the possibility (however slight) that someone might just be searching for money for drugs or alcohol or some such thing. If I did do anything, I would offer to pay for a lunch or whatever. I try to avoid encounters, and sometimes all that's needed for that is a lack of eye contact.

With charities I'm a bit more leniant, and have been known to give to people collecting at intersections (fire dept, march of dimes, etc) and the Salvation Army, Easter Seals, and so forth. But then I only do so if I am positive the people collecting aren't trying to take advantage of compassionate people - that they really are who they say they are.

Wow, I sound dispassionate.

Mobile/cell phones: I keep mine turned off unless I'm expecting a call or have specifically told people to contact me using it. I keep it off unconditionally at movie theatres, concerts, and other public events that it would be disturbing to others. I don't bother taking it to class with me. When I do use it, unless I'm in my room just making a normal phone call (I use my cell as my primary way of calling people), I will try to talk relatively quietly, or go somewhere where I won't bother people. I don't like overhearing other people's conversations, and I certainly don't want them overhearing mine unless absolutely necessary. I also keep my ringer at a volume loud enough for me to hear through my purse (or my purse inside my backpack as the case may be), but not so loud as to annoy others.

As far as chivalry goes, I think that it should now extend to all people - everyone should open doors for everyone else, and all of that, regardless of sex. If I'm going through a double door way, and the person in front of my opens a door for me, I try to be sure and open the next door for them. I still think classical chilvary is somewhat appropriate in a romantic context, however.

Service people - I try to be as polite as possible. Having worked in the grunt area of customer service, I know how nasty patrons can be, and I know how much I hated it - so I try to save the person I'm dealing with that sort of stress. Especially in resturaunt situations, I try to be understanding if they get something wrong, although I will always ask that it be corrected.

I believe in treating service people with respect.
I found it to be a great way to guage dates. When they did not treat service folks with some respect, they eventually end up treating you the same way.

I would never dream of letting the door close in someone's face.

Always stand on the bus for someone much older, pregnant, with small children, (hardly ever use buses though)

Never drop litter

Give money in a shop to the person serving, NOT throw it on the counter. (is everyone afraid of infectious diseases?)

Don't often buy Big Issue but always try and say 'no thank you' and acknowledge existence.

Intervene to stop schoolkids fighting. This is quite a tricky one especially when they are in their teens, but I can't bear to see it and if it was my kid, then I'd like to think someone would step in to help them (or stop them).