The etiquette challenge

Note: The ideas in the post are not wholly my own, as a number of them came up in a conversation with the ever-so-lovely Duke! Also inspired by John's noble attempt to stop over the shoulder privacy invading readers!

It becomes a little deflating when one realizes not only how much rudeness occurs in a big city, but the negative impact that other people's rudeness has upon you.
Maybe it is just the little bit of small town idealism that remains uncrushed within me, but I find myself sometimes becoming entirely angry and exhausted simply because of my experiences with people on a bus ride home or when getting groceries.

In isolation, these things are little, and each represent only a small act by one person.
Someone runs into you without saying sorry, or takes up an extra seat on the bus with their purse, or butts in line, or cuts you off in traffic.
Yet, these things build up to the point where some days they threaten to take you over.
In fact, one could argue these constant human discourtesies are part of what leads to so much hate in these cities. The frustration just builds to the point where people feel they have to direct it somewhere, anywhere.

The Duke had a good point in saying that perhaps stereotypical New Yorkers have it right. If you mess up in New York or do something rude, you will get called on it. And although the notion of having "fuck yous" sent your way for what may be an honest mistake may seem intimidating, at least being called on it, whether it is a lack of courtesy or an honest mistake will make you less likely to do it again.

In general, I am a bit of a passive person when it comes to interpersonal interactions with people I don't know. Some may even call me a doormat. I am super polite (again, it may be the small towner in me) and tend not to comment when someone does me some minor disservice.

However, after realizing the impacts these little things were having on me, I've been beginning to make conscious decisions to start calling people on these things. Not in major ways-- just baby steps.
For instance, in the past week, I held open the door for a woman leaving a coffee shop as I was coming in, rather than just barging in and making her wait. She just looked at me and didn't say a thing, so I shouted "You're welcome!" after her. Similarly, I deliberately walked straight into someone who was entering the train without letting me exit first (and then giggled about how I did it on purpose).

Passive-aggressive?
Very possibly.
Minor?
Arguably so.
However, it was still a big step for me, and an important one at that. I don't want to simply become jaded with the lack of basic human kindness that the city can sometimes throw at you.

So, my challenge to you all?
Start standing up every once in a while to these minor rudenesses (yes, I made that word up) that manage to weigh down on you.