Simple Considerations …

The idea of this post has been percolating for some time. The original title was going to be “Don’t be a Richard.” This was not directed towards offending any of those people named Richard in our world. I wanted a euphemism to substitute for the condensed version of Richard to describe those people who seem to lack the ability to exercise some simple human considerations that would really help everyone’s day.

I wanted to highlight some small things that everyone could start doing today which would make a difference in the lives of those people you know, work with, or even in the lives of complete strangers.

For those of us who regularly attend meetings, don’t use your cell phone during the meetings. Breaks are okay but try to focus on contributing to the meeting.

Additionally, staying with the meeting theme, doing other work, or using your laptop is not only incredibly distracting for other participants, but also extremely rude to everyone else.

My last point on meetings, classes, seminars, or any other presentation is not to have a side conversation while someone is trying to speak to the entire group. As a presenter, I am ashamed to say I have been guilty of this, and I am sure people thought I was a real “Richard” because of my lack of simple consideration.

Driving to work this morning, I noticed a driver make a left-hand turn with oncoming traffic. I am sure this person thought they had enough time; however, the other driver had to slow down. What makes the first driver a “Richard” is that there was no one behind the oncoming driver, the first person could have waited, seconds, but didn’t.

How many times do you say “please” or “thank you” each day? Most of us think that we do it all the time and might be surprised to find out that isn’t true. Make a conscious effort to say those words at least twenty-five times a day, count them as a challenge and you might be surprised by the impact that it makes on people around you.

When was the last time you paid a compliment or made at least three people feel better about themselves? Try to do it three times a day. Compliments must be sincere and appropriate, but as another challenge, try it today.

Don’t skip meals. Being “hangry” affects everyone around you. As a type 1 diabetic, I am more aware of this “Richard” behavior than others, especially my family. Your ability to work and your ability to interact with people can’t be dramatically affected by the mood swings low or high blood sugar can have on you.

For people who share washrooms, for god’s sake guys, put the seat down when you’re done. Additionally, wash and dry your hands. Not only because of colds, flu, and covid; simple hygiene is good for you and everyone around you. Without getting grouse, for those “Richards” who don’t flush the toilet too.

Staying in the washroom for a moment longer and leaving one or two sheets of toilet paper on the roll doesn’t help anyone, change the roll please, and thank you. It is only a matter of time before karma finds you and puts you in that position.

I was visiting a store the other day and had trouble finding a parking space. Some “Richard” had parked their vehicle over two parking spaces. Another older person who was alone in their truck parked in the spot reserved for moms. Simple consideration wouldn’t have cost either of them very much.

Maybe I am just becoming a grouchy old person, but I don’t think I am alone when I say to people who play their music really loud that not everyone in the neighborhood shares their taste for music, especially really loud music late at night. Please include those people who own excessively loud motorcycles and/or cars. If we took a vote, most people describe the lack of consideration as very “Richard-like.”

To play the “good neighbor” idea a little more, for those people living in residential areas, if you have more inside things in your yard than you do inside, you might be a “Richard.”

People who take the time to pick up other people’s garbage should be celebrated. We all see the results of “Richards” on our streets and highways. Even people who leave empty or half-full coffee cups in stores should take a moment to be more considerate. Not littering is just a small consideration that everyone can do.

Speaking of litter, nothing typifies a “Richard” more than someone who doesn’t pick up after their pets have left a present in their neighbor’s yard, in a park, or anywhere else that’s public.

As in most things, there are extremes, a classic example being people on bikes and e-bikes. Unless someone is a child, bikes really don’t belong on sidewalks, e-bikes, in particular, should not be on them. People who alternatively disobey traffic signals on their bikes and then ride off the sidewalk are classic “Richards.”  To be fair to all the cyclists out there, people who drive cars and don’t give bikes enough room can be “Richards,” too.

Talking about people who don’t allow enough space, what about people in grocery stores who stop in the middle of aisles. Again, it is the extreme few who stand out as “Richards.”  These people meander through the store as if they were the only people in the store. Most people show the simple consideration of pulling their cart to the side and allowing other people to move around them.

While in the grocery store, have you ever noticed people “grazing?”  These people sample from packages and most who do this pay for their “snacks.”  The “Richards” thought put the opened box back on the shelf. In collaborating with people in the grocery industry, I have been told this lack of consideration is quite common.

I surveyed some people I work with for ideas and one of the examples of ignoring simple consideration revolved around lunch. One person almost turned red over the lack of consideration some people demonstrate when they just leave their dishes for other people to clean up.

Organizations can be “Richards” too by the way they treat their customers. One person complained about an organizational “Richard” not having better standards when people are put on hold. This person complained about being placed on hold and then having to wait and wait, and it was compounded by the person who finally answered not even apologizing. Simple considerations.

As a person who has spent a lifetime in roles that involved customer service, my classic definition of a “Richard,” is someone who yells at students working part-time jobs. I am not sure why these people feel justified in screaming about a kid working a part-time job. When I see it, I have stepped in on numerous occasions to stop this behavior. Simple consideration would be for people that are upset to complain civilly and respectfully.

One more, as a person who relies on others for skills that I don’t possess, like many people it bothers me when someone with those skills, talks down to me or makes me feel dumb. Fortunately, there are fewer and fewer of these people each day, but the ones who remain really are “Richards.”

Finally, I would like to thank all of those “anti-Richards,” who go out of their way to say “Hello,” to people they met, hold doors open, and smile. That little bit of consideration really goes a long way and is appreciated

I would like to apologize to anyone again that is named “Richard,” this is not a personal attack. What I have hoped to do in a small humorous way is to highlight some things that people can change. Things that are relatively easy to fix that drive, not just me, crazy, but many other people as well. With the stress, anxiety, and issues we all face today, correcting some or all these small “Richard” behaviors wouldn’t be difficult, expensive or take much effort and it would make life better for so many people, including those actually engaging in “Richard” behaviors.

Thank you,

Paul.

Btw please feel free to add examples of “Richards” in the comments.