x3 but not necessarily ink and metal but just people in general. Totally not an image of Christ reflected in me.

Great observations Irish. I think this change in attitude comes with age. I used to judge people a lot more, and I still do. But life can change your own perspectives and I'm more appreciative of people who are willing to perform service jobs like restaurant servers, greeters that many of us won't do. Smile and be courteous to these folks and usually they will reciprocate.

In regards to the telemarketing jerks, I'm not courteous to those azzhats.

Being a waiter seems like it would be very hard. People are demanding and it's usually the worst tippers that are the most rude.

Having been a waiter many years ago, you are exactly right on both observations. Its why I tip well when I go to a restaurant, and if its one of my usual hangouts the staff is always good with the service because I tip well. Restaurant employee will talk and they know who the good and bad customers are.

I find that as well....generally when i catch myself being "judgie" (as my wife calls it), i find myself in a similar situation not long into the future and have, at times, done the exact thing I've been judgie over....AND nobody likes a hypocrite!!!!

Last week we went to a seafood restaurant for my wife's birthday. In the corner booth there were two couples with two nasty ass 6 or so year old rug rats. They left one of the biggest mess you can imagine and when they got up one of the men dug in his pocket to leave a $1 tip. I started to trip the fat ass, but figured he would leave a bigger mess.

Yes... to all you you. However it is the hardest thing I have ever endeavored to do and will be a life long pursuit that I don't know if I will ever fully accomplish. And yes the older you get the more it helps to realize this, because the more you have suffered at the hands of others and the more you realize that you have made others suffer because of your judgement, actions, deeds and selfishness.

God put us here not to judge others but to love other people and it is the hardest of our tasks here in our time on Earth. Especially to those who do not love us or people who we deem do not deserve our love.

I have found it is easy to be nice to the pretty, smiling, and friendly clerk, no duh!!, but takes a bit more effort to deal with grace with the abrasive, chunky, gap-toothed grocery clerk. Happened to me last night. An abrasive, chunky, gap-toothed clerk was pretty abrupt with me. I stayed calm, was a friendly as I knew how to be, and I actually think I had an impact. This has been a growth area for me as well. I have been super judgemental and condescending in my life. My Mom, while a truly devout Christian woman (who was so friendly that, speaking of clerks, three women clerks came to her funeral) was extremely judgemental of others, and I learned that lesson well from her, I can be too. Through prayer, I am trying to overcome that tendency. I am better, but still have my moments. Thanks, Irish!!

Just treat everyone with courtesy unless their actions don't deserve it. Doesn't matter what they, or you do for a living.

fify

I said this in the original thread just before it got shut down but I'll say it again because I think it bears repeating.

There are two constitutional amendments that I could see myself supporting.

1. 2 years mandatory military service following high school.

2. 1 year mandatory public service; waiter/waitress, cashier, csr, receptionist, WALMART GREETER, etc.

We'd have a much more civil society if everyone walked in those shoes for a mile or two.

I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy

I knew a man once who said you could judge someone's character by how they treated people who couldn't really do anything to advance them personally. At the time, he was talking about folks who would fawn over management, and be mean to, or ignore, the cleaning staff.

That has stuck with me my entire life. The guy in the mail room is human too, and he probably appreciates a kind word more than the CEO would.

Even if you are 53, like me, and look it, be cheerful if you have to show ID. You can bet it's not the cashier's idea. My wife and I have shopped at the same liquor store for 10+ years. Always check out with the same girl. I know she is required to see ID, so I have my license out to help her.