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This article is more a how-to for dealing with other people than a personal productivity or self improvement guide.

The best comeback is civility.

It seems at times that the whole world is so self-consumed and self-centered, that people have become entirely incapable of thinking outside themselves. When your car breaks down and nobody stops for you, when time after time doors are left to swing shut in front of you and no “thank you” is given when you hold it open for the person behind you, you really begin to question whether or not its all worth it. Perhaps you should become just like the rest of them, just as uncaring, just as self centered.

When encountering a rude person, it has been my experience that best retort is no retort at all. Simply treating the other person as you would have liked to have BEEN treated is usually enough to instill guilt in the rude party. There are, of course, exceptions. Some people are so self centered that they don’t even notice their error.

There is a fine line, however, between being civil and letting people step on you. I’m not advocating being a pushover, I’m just recommending you be as civil and humble as possible in response to rudeness and arrogance.

So don’t let the door swingers get you down. Expect no thanks in return for your kindess. Don’t do it for them, do it for youself. Be content in the knowledge that you aren’t contributing to the death of civility.