Being polite is a basic rule for social inclusion and acceptance. The respect of others provide a fair ground for a successful interaction leading to the satisfaction of both needs avoiding unnecessary problems.
It seems easy and productive that way. And it is, most of the time. Unfortunately this last week was full of those little moments. First I had a little taste of politeness taking the tram. Mornings, 7h23, the tram is full of people. Elderly people standing by, while youngsters are sitting as nothing was happening around, listening to any kind music. This is actually acceptable as I have no idea of the level of fatigue of all commuters, but what really pisses me off is people leaving their bag packs or anything else on the seats while many other human beings are just standing around. It´s rude and egoistic. This morning I had also another good example: a guy was occupying almost two seats, I seated in the space left but he didn't budge! I don't understand that need to occupy all when the tram is at full capacity. I had a similar situation the last Friday. I was the one occupying the space of two persons in a front to front seats. Putting my legs at maximum range, letting the space in front not free for other legs. No problem I thought. The tram with three wagons had only two more persons in it. 'Til I reached the Haupfriedhof Station (Graveyard Station). Then, only one person came in. Wanting to sit right in the place where I had my legs! Wait a minute? Why this specific place? Well... I couldn't believe that one but I moved my legs off the grid, allowing this fair lady to sit correctly... Going on...
Last week we had a team issue (well one of many to be more precise) regarding a difficult situation: eating at the work place. Yes, it can be an issue. Two weeks ago a complaint was verbally filled in an open team meeting regarding this topic. As most of colleagues eat at their table, bringing a mix of smells not very appealing for other colleagues and use the working floor as a normal dinner and chat room, even bringing friends over (!) disturbing the peace of some of the other colleagues (in which group I put myself). Those lunch at work colleagues are the same one claiming that we need five minutes away each hour from the PC vicinity. But they stay 45 minutes for lunch. As being polite is part of being human, I was expecting them to change for another room (like, humm.... lunch room?) or at least to discuss it. Of course in East Germany open discussion seems not be allowed so nobody complained. During the meeting. But they kept to bring food and acting as they were in a café in the same room as their working colleagues. Bollocks. One week after, another colleague still believing in a possible dialogue sent an email to all colleagues and managers to request an apparently difficult definitive answer (yes or no). No one answered. Wonderful internal communication. One more week passed by. Then in a team meeting it was definitely decided by the High Command that it won't be allowed to eat. 'Til an email was sent a couple of hours later allowing it in the second room where, apparently, all are OK with keeping the lunch system. Fair enough. If all are really ok with it.
