Some months ago I had a conversation with a young man who worked at McDonald’s to earn extra money for university tuition. He told me about a customer who threw a cola at him because he had mistakenly given it to him instead of the orange drink he had ordered. The cola was sticky and was stuck on his skin for the rest of his shift until he could get home to shower it off. The customer walked away thinking that he was justified and most assuredly showed no remorse for his behaviour.
An episode like this is unusual, of course, but truth be told, things like that happen more frequently these days than they ever did before. It seems immature impulsive actions are no longer solely in the realm of young kids and teenagers. Many adults in their 30s and 40s behave badly by lashing out verbally with mean words or biting sarcasm, and even physical action as in the case of that customer at McDonald’s.
I have heard a lot of theories about why people behave so badly more often in our world today. I am told that the pressures of life are far greater these days than they ever were before. I have heard that immigrants to our country have bad manners and they bring bad lifestyles here from their old countries. I have been advised that computers and the Internet have made us all insular and taken away our need for real interaction so our social skills have been lost. What nonsense.
We have not been practicing and we have not been teaching the Golden Rule. It’s as simple as that.
The Golden Rule works best in times of great pressure and peril. When things are tough, when all seems lost, these are the moments of gallantry by gentlemen and ladies who step forward with benevolence and kindness to others.
The Golden Rule is universal. It has no boundaries of country so it has no immigrants. It has no divisions of culture. The Golden rule appears in all Good Books of all faiths. Even in the poorest of learning places on earth common courtesy can be taught and understood by the very youngest and the most vulnerable of all societies.
The Golden Rule will function well and work in the most isolated areas. It works just as well in the midst of cities with the highest densities and mesh of humanity.
How much more simple can it be to do unto others as you would ask others to do unto you? How hard can it be to say please and thank you? The Golden Rule is basic and easy. If we have not taught this rule to our children and others by our own example, then the fault lies with me and you. It’s on us to get it back.
When was the last time you saw someone give a seat to someone else on the bus or the subway? When was the last time it was understood to let a motorist in front without the car behind trying to sneak past as well? We have lost the fundamental concept of taking turns. Back in the day if I ever went through a door without holding it open for a lady I would find myself with a thick ear to remember not to let that happen again. Those days are long ago.
It’s not as if I have forgotten. It’s not as if you have either. We just don’t do or see these simple courtesies day to day so much anymore.
It is understood that selling is the key to almost any business. It should be basic that the Golden Rule is paramount in sales and marketing anything. Yet we trade stories about looking for store clerks when we want to buy something. We dread having to phone about cable TV or government services and being put on hold for hours.
There is no sales and marketing professional who understands or should understand the Golden Rule better than a real estate professional. There is no person to set a better example in business and in life than a real estate salesperson.
As we move forward through this year and contemplate all the great things that are unfolding before us in technology and in manufactured goods, Lord let us not forget civility. Let us not forget the Golden Rule.
I wish you success in the year ahead.
Heino Molls is the publisher of REM. Email [email protected].
