Hold It In

Hey, let's all try something for a while.

Pretend to be happy even if you're not. For example, if you're shoveling my fast food out the drive-thru window, even though you've got a terrible job with terrible pay and go home stinking of grease to a walk-up studio apartment with leaking faucets and no a/c, go ahead and smile and thank me for my service no matter how much you don't mean it. This is what scientists call, in technical terms, a society, and if it's going to work we've got to get away from the idea that everyone is special, everyone should be happy and everyone has the right to express themselves. We've got a pretty good taste of that world so far and increasingly I'm convinced it sucks.

For example, if you're driving and you think that when you're having a bad day it gives you carte blance to act like a complete jerk then allow me to be the first to disavow you of that illusion. The rest of your local civilization is not responsible for whatever malady is vexing you of late, so why don't you pull it together and back that Mercedes about a car-and-a-half length off, and should you feel inclined to vent your frustrations through hand-based semaphore as you pass, might I suggest you instead jam that finger right ... well, that's not what's important.

What is important is that we're all stuck with one another for better or worse, and things might trip along a little more smoothly if everyone started keeping their more of their problems to themselves. Seriously, I just want to pay for the gas and get out the door without despairing for the fate of civility. Force that smile and friendly gesture even when you feel like swinging a metal pipe into my face. I really don't care if it's genuine, just make it happen.

Have a nice day!