It has been two weeks – 14 short days – since the election and the Southern Poverty Law Center website tells me that there have been more than 700 incidents of hateful harassment’s since the election. That is more than 50 incidents per day, which boggles my mind, but what is even more upsetting is that these incidents have “taken on a new boldness“. The “Trump Effect” is even more ugly than I could have ever imagined, and I imagined it to be horrid.
But, what about my neighborhood, my city, my little corner of the world? Have I noticed any changes?
Sadly, we have. People seem to be ruder as they drive – in the past, merging into traffic there was just a “driver courtesy” allowing people to merge. Now, this seems a thing of the past – rather than allowing a driver to merge in – they speed up and crowd the driver out. A scary thing to the observer, and even scarier to experience. Ask me, I know!
And, if that is not enough – the laying on of the horns and hand gestures received because you stopped for pedestrians in the cross walk is just the icing on the cake. (Please note, in Pennsylvania – pedestrians in the cross walk have the right of way and traffic must stop for them)
This level of rudeness is not restricted to our area streets – people in shops also seem less kind and considerate – from those working and to those shopping, which makes the shopping experience so delightful – not!
Sadly, it is not only happening on our roads and in our stores – our schools are experiencing it too.
However, there is a bright spot despite all this boorish behavior and general nastiness.
Yes, that’s right – if you need a boost – a lift in your spirits – a reminder that not all of humanity is inhumane – stop at my local Trader Joe’s.
The people who shop there are kind and considerate and smiling.
Adding to that – the people who work there are genuinely happy, helpful, eager to assist, and filled with good cheer.
I do not know how this little microcosm of goodness exists seemingly separate from the Trump Effect, but I want to thank Trader Joe’s – what they are doing is not going unnoticed and I am so thankful this place is nearby!
I would love to see The Trader Joe’s Effect spread across this nation – and I am going to do what I can to help it right here! I will be that person who is kind, considerate, and smiling – genuinely happy, helpful, eager to assist, and filled with good cheer! Won’t you join me?
I am trying very hard to be intentionally kind, especially in those situations where kindness doesn’t reign like traffic and lines at the store. I don’t know how it impacts others but it sure does help my spirit. Happy to hear your Trader Joe’s is such a lovely place.
Ryan has been telling me I need to go to Trader Joe’s for several years now, but since our closest one is an hour away, I haven’t gotten there yet. With your recommendation I can see that I definitely need to go for the food and the people, sooner rather than later!
I have noticed the rudeness of drivers, also. There’s no Trader Joe’s near me, but I’ve made it a point to be friendly at my local grocery — and I think they’re making it a point, too.
No local Trader Joe’s here either. 🙁 And you are right…we must work to remain happy and spread cheer whenever possible. It’s soooo easy to go down the crabby rat hole!
Being a pedestrian is a crap shoot everywhere. Pedestrian-right-of-way has been dead for a while. Ask me – who walks everywhere – how I know …
I love to go to Trader Joe’s, so many things I like there. And I like that the people are nice, but not fakey-nice. My husband (who works in retail) says he would love to go undercover to find out how they get their employees to be so consistently nice.
I love your hopefulness!
I am lucky to live in a very blue city, so everyone is struggling together.
Sadly, Trader Joe’s may not be what it seems. The New York Times had a story about the cheerfulness there: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/04/business/at-trader-joes-good-cheer-may-hide-complaints.html?_r=0
Sadly, I don’t think capitalism the way to kindness.
I had a brief moment of “Why should I be nice? Everyone else* voted for Trump!” last week but I managed to shake it off before it did any harm to my or anyone else’s psyche.
* In my area — rural n.w. Wisconsin — no Dem in a contested contest got more than 39% of the vote, so I am sortakinda justified in saying “everyone else.” Truly sad.
I haven’t noticed any change in drivers but Dale swears there has been a big increase in the number of cars running through his stop lights when he’s driving the bus. I was at Target today and everyone seemed pretty friendly, at least.
I’m trying to smile more and greet people so they do not have a chance to be unkind. I can say it truly seems to work.
Like Bonny, I don’t have a Trader Joe’s that close, but I’m trying to pass on that TJE everywhere I go. And considering I live in a Red State, I’ve been pleasantly surprised how easy that’s been. (I’ve thought for a long time that Georgia was purple… and for sure, it’s looking like it these days )
i keep hoping things won’t be as bad as I fear. Just trying to do my part to be positive and pleasant. I’m following Freddy’s lead.
“Don’t let anyone ruin your day” is a mantra a friend used to tell me and I think it’s grand advice…tho’ believe me, keeping a smile on my face and in my voice these days is more than a notion…but I shall persist and keep control of me! Gonna be tough, no doubt about it.
Being kind is never to be underestimated. A little kindness is a long remembered thing. I remember my friend Jen feeding our family BEFORE the wake of our mother in law. Everyone had a long night ahead and she came with a full dinner for all ofus.