Small things to make the world better
 

One, when going out to a nice restaurant to eat, don't douse yourself in cologne or perfume. The people at the table next to you can smell you, and that likely means they're can't really taste their food.

Second, when waiting at the airport, don't plop yourself down on those waiting area rows of seats. They're connected and it's likely that you just jerked the poor guy down from you forward, or, even worse, awake.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

I've never really had much of a nose for scent. Your second point is definitely valid.

A similar one - when sitting down on an airplane please don't lower yourself into your seat by holding onto the headrest in front of you.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Don't discard cigarette buds on the sidewalk. Empty the cherry and place it in your pocket if you're a [censored] smoker.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

When driving, if you come to a stop in the right lane and you aren't turning right. If at all possible make sure your car is as far to the left as you can go, so a guy behind you who wants to make a right turn can squeeze by you. People that don't do this show me all I need to know about how much they are paying attention to their surroundings and they are probably bad drivers.

-DeathDonkey

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Use blackle instead of google when you only need a standard search. It uses google's algorithm so your search results will be the same, but has a black background instead of a white one so it uses less energy. Helps the planet in a very small way, but every little bit helps I guess. http://blackle.com/about/

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Use blackle instead of google when you only need a standard search. It uses google's algorithm so your search results will be the same, but has a black background instead of a white one so it uses less energy. Helps the planet in a very small way, but every little bit helps I guess. http://blackle.com/about/

[/ QUOTE ]

loooooooooool. im sorry but this is ridiculous. this should be conservation step #1098039248098320498 somewhere after saving toe lint to make blankets with.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

1. One of the best moves I made recently was buying canvas bags to use when grocery shopping. Not only does this save on all those paper and plastic bags, they're a million times easier to manage and load up.

2. When parking your car on an open street in a city, keep in mind that there are going to be tons of people wanting to park their cars later, so by leaving room for 75% of a car between you and the corner, you're taking up a spot. same goes for side-by-side parking, i know you want some room, but there's no need to allow 3 feet beyond your fully extended door when parking.

3. "Please"

4. "Thank you"

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Use blackle instead of google when you only need a standard search. It uses google's algorithm so your search results will be the same, but has a black background instead of a white one so it uses less energy. Helps the planet in a very small way, but every little bit helps I guess. http://blackle.com/about/

[/ QUOTE ]

Good to see people are still easy to scam.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don't discard cigarette buds on the sidewalk. Empty the cherry and place it in your pocket if you're a [censored] smoker.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's what I do

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

When you stop to converse with people or friends step to the side to avoid stairs and doorways so you don't block traffic flow.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Turn your cell phone off in movie theaters, meetings, shows, class, lectures, and church.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

When driving on an empty road and about to turn indicate if there's a pedestrian looking to cross, this esp. applies in england if you are turning off an empty roundabout from the inside lane.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Going into or out of a business with double doors keep right. People can enter and leave at the same time rather than all people trying to use one side and then trying to be polite by letting the other people go first, which causes them to say go ahead and a debate ensues over who gets to unclog the door first. It really should not take 5 minutes of confusion to enter or exit when there are double doors.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Don't discard cigarette buds on the sidewalk. Empty the cherry and place it in your pocket if you're a [censored] smoker.

[/ QUOTE ]

that's what I do

[/ QUOTE ]

When I still smoked cigs I used to carry around one of these

(only mine wasn't gay looking)

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

If you see someone and you genuinely like something they're wearing or they look particularly good that day, tell them. Doesn't matter if it's your girlfriend, your grandma or your roomate. A genuine compliment out of the blue makes people feel great, even if it's about something completely unimportant.

Also,

3. "Please"
4. "Thank you"

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

when driving past us old foks going just the speed limit stop giving us the finger as you will one day be getting it.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Wow, if all people did most of these, my life would be so much less stressful.

-If you're going to spit outside, don't spit on the sidewalk. Spit in the grass, or on the road.

Another, which is a personal pet peeve, don't walk through the grass to make a shortcut when the sidewalk leads around. That probably doesn't belong in this thread, but my point is that over time, it wears down the grass and then you have a long line of dirt, which looks horrible.

Also, don't smoke right next to a doorway to a public place/class building, etc. Us non-smokers have to walk through there and don't enjoy smelling smoke. I usually hold my breath as I walk past them because it bothers me that much!

Don't rev your engine when you pass a girl. It's loud and annoying, and the girls don't think you're "cool."

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

When you reach the top or bottom of an escalator, keep on moving. Don't just stand there causing a log jam of people with no where to go.

Similarly, when going through a door way,keep on moving. If you're confused as to where to go, make your decision before you go through the door.

When you're waiting in line to purchase something, have your cash or card ready before you get to the register. If you still write checks, prewrite it and have the necessary ID ready.

One person at a time through revolving doors.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Ray Zee,

We only give wrinkled people the finger when they driving in the left lane, don't respond to high-beams or impede traffic.

p.s. The left lane is not a cruising lane, it's a passing lane.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Ray Zee,

We only give wrinkled people the finger when they driving in the left lane, don't respond to high-beams or impede traffic.

p.s. The left lane is not a cruising lane, it's a passing lane.

[/ QUOTE ]

Heck yeah. I have a theory that most women are terrible drivers. My g/f and I drove to NYC for New Years this past year and I told her, "I bet anytime we come up to someone driving in the left lane who won't move over is either a woman or a very old man." I think I was right about 19 out of 20 times.

I drive in the left lane, but only because I'm constantly passing people. It's very rare for me to get passed. I don't care if people go slow, but if they are going to be in front of me, they need to get out of the way. I can't stand it when I'm doing 60-70mph and then someone pulls out in front of me and drives 55.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

There really is no need to write standard checks any more, especially for people who do not pre-write them and cause longer waits/lines for everyone.

Also, don't smoke right outside of doorways like others have said.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]

A similar one - when sitting down on an airplane please don't lower yourself into your seat by holding onto the headrest in front of you.

[/ QUOTE ]

this drives me nuts. a while back i was flying air canada from frankfurt to toronto and i was woken up because someone was using my headrest for support while doing who knows what. i looked back to see some old lady fiddling with her shoe or something and i guess i didn't have the most pleasant look on my face (after just waking up) so the old fart she was with started yelling at me in french. i told him politely that i did not understand what he was saying, so he kicked the back of my seat to push my seatback up. i turned around and put my headphones back on and tried to go back to sleep. a couple minutes later when i thought things had calmed down i tried to put my seatback down again, and immediately it was shoved right back violently.

so:

a) don't be an [censored]
b) when you realize you're being an [censored], don't start yelling and being a bigger [censored]
c) when you're being an [censored] and someone is trying to talk to you politely, don't pretend you don't speak their language
d) don't use violence just for the sake of being an [censored]

[censored] = bumhole but starts with an a

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Use blackle instead of google when you only need a standard search. It uses google's algorithm so your search results will be the same, but has a black background instead of a white one so it uses less energy. Helps the planet in a very small way, but every little bit helps I guess. http://blackle.com/about/

[/ QUOTE ]

most of us here have LCDs so this wouldn't cause us to use any less electricity. the backlight stays on at the same power regardless of the colour displayed on the screen.

someone who works in graphics hardware actually told me that LCDs use MORE power when they're on black, but i'm not sure if thats actually true.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Just don't bring young children on vacation, to the movies or to nice restaurants. Your 18-month-old is not going to get anything out of a trip to Vegas or a screening of 2001, and the likelihood of him annoying the hell out of people on the plane or in the theater is really high. Stay home or get a [censored] sitter.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Do not make the simple use of an ATM transaction the opportunity to reorganise your purse/handbag/organiser. Get your money and step to the side. It's not hard.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

If you like something someone is doing or wearing, within reason, tell them so. It takes two seconds, but can make someone's entire day exponentially better. I know it sounds like I'm being just touchy-feely, but...I'm a high school teacher, and you would not believe how much more attentive and tuned in some of my kids are when you just give a small word of encouragement. Adults are no different...everybody likes a compliment, even if they would never admit it.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you see someone and you genuinely like something they're wearing or they look particularly good that day, tell them. Doesn't matter if it's your girlfriend, your grandma or your roomate. A genuine compliment out of the blue makes people feel great, even if it's about something completely unimportant.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
If you like something someone is doing or wearing, within reason, tell them so. It takes two seconds, but can make someone's entire day exponentially better. I know it sounds like I'm being just touchy-feely, but...I'm a high school teacher, and you would not believe how much more attentive and tuned in some of my kids are when you just give a small word of encouragement. Adults are no different...everybody likes a compliment, even if they would never admit it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great job reading the thread.

Oh, and nice shoes.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

A similar one - when sitting down on an airplane please don't lower yourself into your seat by holding onto the headrest in front of you.

[/ QUOTE ]

this drives me nuts. a while back i was flying air canada from frankfurt to toronto and i was woken up because someone was using my headrest for support while doing who knows what. i looked back to see some old lady fiddling with her shoe or something and i guess i didn't have the most pleasant look on my face (after just waking up) so the old fart she was with started yelling at me in french. i told him politely that i did not understand what he was saying, so he kicked the back of my seat to push my seatback up. i turned around and put my headphones back on and tried to go back to sleep. a couple minutes later when i thought things had calmed down i tried to put my seatback down again, and immediately it was shoved right back violently.

so:

a) don't be an [censored]
b) when you realize you're being an [censored], don't start yelling and being a bigger [censored]
c) when you're being an [censored] and someone is trying to talk to you politely, don't pretend you don't speak their language
d) don't use violence just for the sake of being an [censored]

[censored] = bumhole but starts with an a

[/ QUOTE ]

This is bs. You should never put your seat back in a plane. It gives the person behind you far less room to do whatever they are trying to do - reading, eating, using a laptop or whatever. You're pretty damn selfish if you think it is ok to inconvenience somebody else just to make your trip slightly better.

Also, if you’re sitting beside somebody in a lecture theatre or on a bus or plane, try your best not to invade their personal space with your arms and possessions.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If you see someone and you genuinely like something they're wearing or they look particularly good that day, tell them. Doesn't matter if it's your girlfriend, your grandma or your roomate. A genuine compliment out of the blue makes people feel great, even if it's about something completely unimportant.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
If you like something someone is doing or wearing, within reason, tell them so. It takes two seconds, but can make someone's entire day exponentially better. I know it sounds like I'm being just touchy-feely, but...I'm a high school teacher, and you would not believe how much more attentive and tuned in some of my kids are when you just give a small word of encouragement. Adults are no different...everybody likes a compliment, even if they would never admit it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great job reading the thread.

Oh, and nice shoes.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, thanks about the shoes. Sorry about the reading comprehension.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

Be tolerant of your fellow human beings. The next time someone does something that bothers you, politely address it with them before getting all passive-aggressive with them. I think you'd be surprised how accommodating people can be to reasonable requests.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
When driving, if you come to a stop in the right lane and you aren't turning right. If at all possible make sure your car is as far to the left as you can go, so a guy behind you who wants to make a right turn can squeeze by you. People that don't do this show me all I need to know about how much they are paying attention to their surroundings and they are probably bad drivers.

-DeathDonkey

[/ QUOTE ]

I could not agree with this more, and I always do it. Also, if you are coming to a major intersection in the right lane and arent turning soon, get over so someone else can turn if you are first in line at the light. You obviously cant do this in heavy traffic.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

If you're introduced to someone whose name reminds you of a movie/tv character or some other celebrity, refrain from making the obvious joke. You are not creative or clever, and they've heard it a million times before.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]

This is bs. You should never put your seat back in a plane. It gives the person behind you far less room to do whatever they are trying to do - reading, eating, using a laptop or whatever. You're pretty damn selfish if you think it is ok to inconvenience somebody else just to make your trip slightly better.

[/ QUOTE ]

i'm not gonna get into this cuz this thread has been done before, but lolololololololol

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

DaveR,

Sounds like you need to take a few days, Dave. You’re welcome to use my place in Sarasota. (Yeah, I know you loathe Florida.)

Good points though.

RJT

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]


Second, when waiting at the airport, don't plop yourself down on those waiting area rows of seats. They're connected and it's likely that you just jerked the poor guy down from you forward, or, even worse, awake.

[/ QUOTE ]

Also, please don't place every single one of your carry on bags on all the seats, so you take up like 11 chairs in the row with your crap. Seats are for sitting, the floor is for your bags. I don't want to be leaning against a pole because your backpack needed a perch.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

A similar one - when sitting down on an airplane please don't lower yourself into your seat by holding onto the headrest in front of you.

[/ QUOTE ]

this drives me nuts. a while back i was flying air canada from frankfurt to toronto and i was woken up because someone was using my headrest for support while doing who knows what. i looked back to see some old lady fiddling with her shoe or something and i guess i didn't have the most pleasant look on my face (after just waking up) so the old fart she was with started yelling at me in french. i told him politely that i did not understand what he was saying, so he kicked the back of my seat to push my seatback up. i turned around and put my headphones back on and tried to go back to sleep. a couple minutes later when i thought things had calmed down i tried to put my seatback down again, and immediately it was shoved right back violently.

so:

a) don't be an [censored]
b) when you realize you're being an [censored], don't start yelling and being a bigger [censored]
c) when you're being an [censored] and someone is trying to talk to you politely, don't pretend you don't speak their language
d) don't use violence just for the sake of being an [censored]

[censored] = bumhole but starts with an a

[/ QUOTE ]

This is bs. You should never put your seat back in a plane. It gives the person behind you far less room to do whatever they are trying to do - reading, eating, using a laptop or whatever. You're pretty damn selfish if you think it is ok to inconvenience somebody else just to make your trip slightly better.

Also, if you’re sitting beside somebody in a lecture theatre or on a bus or plane, try your best not to invade their personal space with your arms and possessions.

[/ QUOTE ]

If this is a level, good one, you got me.
If this isn't, go [censored] yourself.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just don't bring young children on vacation, to the movies or to nice restaurants. Your 18-month-old is not going to get anything out of a trip to Vegas or a screening of 2001, and the likelihood of him annoying the hell out of people on the plane or in the theater is really high. Stay home or get a [censored] sitter.

[/ QUOTE ]

word. They need to have an airline service that only flies families with kids younger than say 5 or 12 depending on how you look at it...every other plane would have adults....why hasn't this happened yet. I don't plan on taking my kids anywhere or doing anything remotely interesting with them before the age of say, 5, I look back now and talk with my parents and they took me everywhere, visited a ton of places, went to different museums, parks, etc... I remember exactly zero. Biggest waste of money, aggravation, stress, etc...

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

This is bs. You should never put your seat back in a plane. It gives the person behind you far less room to do whatever they are trying to do - reading, eating, using a laptop or whatever. You're pretty damn selfish if you think it is ok to inconvenience somebody else just to make your trip slightly better.

[/ QUOTE ]

i'm not gonna get into this cuz this thread has been done before, but lolololololololol

[/ QUOTE ]

Alright I'll admit if I'm being a dumbass here, but why is this so lol? Unless you expect everybody to put their seats back?

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]

Alright I'll admit if I'm being a dumbass here, but why is this so lol? Unless you expect everybody to put their seats back?

[/ QUOTE ]

the space that i paid for that belongs to me starts from the back of my fully reclined chair and ends at the back of the fully reclined chair in front of me. the only exceptions are during takeoff and landing and during meals.

the seats have been cleverly designed so that they will only reach the space that has been allotted to me.

and the point of my story had nothing to do with seat backs. it was that people in coach are often inconsiderate [censored]. unfortunately i'm not yet so rich that i can spend $20k+/year for a little bit of extra comfort.

Re: Small things to make the world better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Alright I'll admit if I'm being a dumbass here, but why is this so lol? Unless you expect everybody to put their seats back?

[/ QUOTE ]

the space that i paid for that belongs to me starts from the back of my fully reclined chair and ends at the back of the fully reclined chair in front of me. the only exceptions are during takeoff and landing and during meals.

the seats have been cleverly designed so that they will only reach the space that has been allotted to me.

and the point of my story had nothing to do with seat backs. it was that people in coach are often inconsiderate [censored]. unfortunately i'm not yet so rich that i can spend $20k+/year for a little bit of extra comfort.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for the explanation, and apologies for my earlier sharpness.

I have been brought up in a culture that considers putting the seat back rather rude, so clearly views on this subject will vary around the world. In most flights that I have been on, the majority of people keep their seats upright as general courtesy to the passenger behind them. It just seems bad manners to inconvenience somebody behind you unnecessarily imo.