While wearing a mask provides protection, it also appears to empower people to police others and to say mean and nasty remarks to other customers, store workers and pharmacy clerks.
I’ve experienced the rudeness in people over the past few weeks.
I admit I go to the grocery store and look forward to the only social interaction there is at at the moment.
I’ve heard from store clerks, pharmacy techs and other workers about an abundance inappropriate and mean remarks from customers.
For instance, a customer came in and saw the the clerk wearing her mask under her nose.
Immediately the customer flagged down the manager to let them know.
Really?
I was standing in line when a customer decided to berate me for parking in a disabled parking space.
Although I had my tag hanging in the mirror, she decided to tell me “I didn’t look disabled enough.”
Really?
Although I thought about mean things I later wanted to tell her afterwards, I also realized I kept that anger inside me for a few days.
Despite what I’ve learned about ignoring people’s comments especially when I’ve never met them, I feel particularly sensitive theses days.
We are all facing this pandemic together.
Each one of us is experiencing our own personal crisis.
People, wear your mask to protect, keep your distance and practice kindness.
Mind your own business.
Remember the old adage: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it at all.”
Christina Rush
Port Angeles