Strange Satisfaction

What is it that makes me feel good? It's more than just being polite. I say please and thank-you as often as I can (sometimes I forget). I do my best to be courteous in all situations. I even open and close the car door for my wife all the time. None of these render a feeling of satisfaction, not the way holding a door open can. I think it might have to do with the appreciation. Or perhaps there is something inside of me — something that has seen one too many black and white movie — that feels like I am making the world a better place in serving strangers in this one small action. Maybe I like it because people are surprised when it happens, and I like knowing I can show them the old values are still alive.

It does sadden me that more people do not show respect, courtesy, and general politeness more often. Oh sure, people like me who enjoy being polite may not get to enjoy it in the same way, because it would be expected of us, but then I would be willing to give it up. Even now I think it is expected of me, even if others do not expect it. Our society would be a much easier beast to interact with if we all took the time and patience to be polite. We don't need to be kind and soft toward people, just polite. This does not mean we would let people get away with bad behavior and tempers and all manner of offenses. If we had rules of being polite we'd also have a structure to show our displeasure.

No matter what, I still enjoy opening the door for another human being.