When I say that common courtesy is dead I really mean it. For instance, it has always been my habit to open doors for everyone. Not just ladies or incapacitated people, but everyone regardless of gender or physical condition. I began to notice some time ago that some people actually take offense to having the door held open for them. This became most clear when they began to snort, “I’m not a cripple, I can do it myself!!”.
What else can I say about such an attitude?
I worked at a zoo for a dozen years and we used to get some of the most peculiar questions. It was common for an animal exhibit to be marked, “VACANCY” whenever an animal was moved, died, or taken off exhibit for some reason. Several times a week people would see the sign and ask us, “When will the Vacancy be put back on display”? Yes, apparently there are people so stupid that they actually thought “Vacancy” was the name of an animal. I kid you not folks.
Another one was when people would ask us, “How can you tell a cardinal from a blue jay”? Strange but true folks, but some people must focus on the crests of each bird and are oblivious to their obvious colors. I know, I know, utterly amazing isn’t it? You just can’t make these things up folks.