Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Public etiquettes

What do you do when you see someone throwing trash out of their car windows on the roads?

There are times when I do nothing and there are times when I tell them upfront.

Yesterday while I was waiting at a traffic signal, the lady in the car next to me threw the wrapper for biscuits on the road. I waited for her to look in my direction and when she did I pointed at the trash she had thrown and then shook my head showing my disagreement with her action. She looked at me and then I could see a sense of embarrassment on her face. I felt my part was done in making her aware that she did something wrong. And then I looked away. Didn't want to lose on the impact you see :)

But while I drove on I was wondering if she would remember this and not do such things again or would she pass it off as just any incident. I wonder...

25 comments:

  1. I think that was an excellent way of showing your displeasure in a subtle way, without disrespecting her, but her action. In the beginning, I almost imagined you going to someone and screaming at them :D
    I'm sorry! :P
    Irrespective of if she learned her lessons or not, it was the right thing on your part. If it was an old habit of hers it might require some more people to point to her, or maybe she has learnt it, as her conscience has been awoken now, through you.

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  2. these habits are with so many and then are so many such habits sometimes i wonder why people sitting in cars well educated people cant have such common sense... i once had a similar exp but much greater in magnitude... the garbage trashing specially from moving vehicles is not just making things dirty but is potentially dangerous also.. read here

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  3. I think she would remember. At least she would think before she does it again.

    You know I am embarrased to say but even hubby was like that & my constant poking has changed him a bit. Habits are hard to break.
    :(

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  4. good going woman!! :)

    i used to drive my friends nuts by telling them NOT to trash!! not even a bus ticket!!

    what you did was just the right thing!

    cheers!

    abha

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  5. I think she would remember. Well done!

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  6. Thats great. Keep doing your bit. The people would at least think once, if not twice, before doing such a thing next time.

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  7. I'm glad you pointed out her mistake to her, but I'm not terribly optimistic about her 'remembering' the lesson. This kind of behaviour, unfortunately, is all too common in our 'desh'.

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  8. She will definitely remember it and next time, probably she will look around to see no one is watching her before she litters ( old habits *sigh*). But I like the way you pointed it out to her !

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  9. u sure spoilt her day, and got the msg across... :-)

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  10. no, repeated messaging would be required.. we are natural litterbugs :D

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  11. Well done.. and you have taught me to do it too!! :)

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  12. Way to go ~nm!!! I am darn glad that you pointed it out to her. Hopefully she will think twice about doing it the next time.

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  13. Yes, I too am glad you had the guts to do what you did! If only everyone was as aware as you ....maybe no one would litter!! Imagine getting disapproving looks and shaking heads from all around you!!

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  14. PG: Well, you are not to be blamed. I AM like that. Very little patience and control over temper.

    @all: Thanks! I know I did the right thing and I just hope she remembers it too. I wouldn't shy away from doing this again. People who know me know how upfront I can be about certain things.

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  15. che! i thought i came here and commented...

    i'm so glad you did that...its disgusting when people do that and then have the cheek to blame the system for the litter, mess etc..

    and dear, i had come to tell you that the BFF badge is waiting for you....do collect it...

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  16. oops, sorry..i meant the gold card..why did i keep referring it to as a badge..beats me...

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  17. Hope, she doesn't do it again :)

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  18. Way to go, ~nm. Hope she's learnt her lesson and will not litter any more. :)

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  19. yeah, that will be a warning for her everytime..!!

    even i do this many a times..
    i have seen people realising their mistakes and then some who dont even bother to change themselves..!!

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  20. Very good, She would remember it,
    And from now on I will also point it out to others
    Thanks

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  21. I am so glad you did that.Well done.The problem is when people from moving vehicles throw out trash, while speeding away.Irks me no end.
    Cheers
    Preeti

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  22. I am very sure she will remember this fo life.. she wouldn't want to get another person tapping on her window telling her about the rubbish. Great job!

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  23. there is something for you to pick up at my blog!

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  24. Very well done. I am gonna adopt the same action against those who litter.

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  25. This is so typical - like people who'd sweep their house clean and dump the trash right on to the street outside or in the neighboring plot that is empty. I do not know why they cannot see that the street is ours too and we cannot keep expecting the establishment to provide everything if we ourselves do not act responsibly and contribute our bit.

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