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

I try very hard to pass on my belief of live and let live (i.e. if it's not hurting you or REALLY inconveniencing you, let it be. Revel in our differences)... If someone upsets me, I'll invite a change of behaviour with an explanation as to why. I'll also try to take myself out of the situation if I can. I'm VERY non-confrontational. Sometimes it''s forced on you, I'm not so good in those situations. People willfully misunderstanding or assuming and choosing not to understand a different point of view will make me flip.Usually into tears!

I guess a part of life is filtering out the horrible stuff most of the time, seeing what you want to see, involving yourself as much as possible in the areas you want to involve yourself and trying hard not to fall into habits of blame and annoyance. Women with pushchairs, people with dogs, older people taking their time... Being tolerant is trying to allow these things without it geting your own blood pressure up. I'm sure it helps, the more you do it, to change the attitudes and body language of those around you, even if only a tiny bit. Why do people get paranoid, defensive and intolerant? Because they feel those attitudes pointed at them (ok, not the whole reason, but part of it at least)... Turn the tide, smile. And remember to complaiin when your postie is rude, that's not ok!!!

This thread had kind of died and then today:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/7063422.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/7063366.stm

In the latter case the yob involved was watched by other people and was shouting "This is YouTube material".

Depressed.

PP

Correction. Is reported to have been shouting "This is YouTube material".

I doubt he would know a word that long.

PP