BETWEEN THE LINES: A SIMPLE CURE FOR ROAD RAGE: KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS

Whatever happened to the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?"

I was reading an article recently on road rage and realized the problem was not America's driving habits. It was our attitude.

Many drivers are impolite and discourteous. They fail to use signals, run through stoplights, and in general cause havoc on the roads.

These road-rage drivers are in such a rush to get home, drop off their children at soccer practice and rush to a meeting, they fail to pay attention to the road.

I can't understand why people are in such a hurry. We live in an age when there are so many conveniences -- from washing machines to microwaves -- to save us time and energy.

Still, people are in such a hurry to get somewhere that they've forgotten how to be polite and courteous, as well as cautious. Of course, this phenomenon isn't just limited to the roadways.

People are just rude.

They've forgotten the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Attitudes have changed and good manners are optional.

When I moved to Florida, I was impressed by the polite, friendly people, especially the children at church who said "ma'am" and "sir" when you asked a question.

As a child I learned to be respectful, polite and treat others with respect. Of course, being raised in such a way I have come to expect the same courtesy in return.

Unfortunately, it doesn't often happen.

To prove this point (mostly to myself) I began a personal boycott against a store about a year ago.

Working nights and late hours, I often shop late. At two different stores in this chain, I encountered problems, which led to the eventual boycott.

I believe that every customer should receive the same type of service, regardless of what time they enter a business.

So if I shop at 10 o'clock at night, I should receive the same courtesy as the people who frequent the store at 10 a.m.

Over the weekend I dropped my personal boycott against the store to test its customer service.

The store fared well compared to the last time I visited. I didn't become outraged and didn't have to speak to a manager before I left. However, I had to keep reminding myself to relax and remain calm. After all, this was just a simple shopping trip.

I try really hard to be polite to everyone. I don't understand why people, especially those in customer-service jobs, often are so rude and angry.

For years my motto has been "Kill them with kindness." Even when people are rude, disrespectful and impolite, I try to be nice. Maybe my good attitude can improve their bad one.

I can't tell if it's working, but I'm an optimist. I'll give it time -- change comes slowly.

I think I've found the solution to the road-rage epidemic -- good manners. If people would take some time to remember how we should treat others, it just might improve our entire outlook, our roads and our lives.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.