New school subject idea

[christopher575]

I would like to create a new class for people to take in high school so that they can function well in society. Not quite as severe as, say, etiquette. Just simple things people can do to annoy everyone else a little less. Things like pushing in their chairs. Not swinging their arms wildly when talking when a server with a plate full of food is likely to appear next to them. Not cutting hallway corners in offices and nearly running into people on the other side. Not blocking hallways and walkways. Moving the hell out of the way after getting off an escalator. Checking to see if anyone's getting off the elevator or bus before going in. Leaving the dance floor to fart now that clubs don't smell like cigarettes. 

I do not in any way claim to be perfect. I do, however, make an effort, and it'd be great if more people did. And I don't think people's behavior would necessarily change much if we did have the class, but at least we'd know that everyone was taking the class and were not doing what is expected of them. We could say things like, "Didn't you pay attention in PS class?!?" It'd be great.

As it is, we just don't expect much of people, and we get what we expect.

Comments

[deadflowers.livejournal.com]

where's the REBLOG button?

[scearley.livejournal.com]

I've always felt that we should bring back required service. But instead of for the military, everyone should be required to work in a restaurant for a year.

[wring.livejournal.com]

or retail for that matter.

[girlvinyl.livejournal.com]

I worked retail for 4 years in high school and college. At the hello kitty store. I have seen the worst of humanity and society at its most bleak.

[crushdmb.livejournal.com]

Or a call center.

[mika-says.livejournal.com]

True - I believe I am polite to call-center, retail and restaurant personnel because I've been there (except for call-center) and it was no fun.

[mika-says.livejournal.com]

TOTALLY - food service at the least, anyway. There were be much less assholism in the world if this were implemented.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

A+++

[njbearcub1.livejournal.com]

These need to be taught at home, but the parents should be required to take your course first.

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

We have seen time and again that parents don't give a shit how their kids act. In school, I say!

[njbearcub1.livejournal.com]

Even then, like sex education and vaccinations, you'll encounter a group of parents who will be all, "Not my Johnny!" and not let them sign up for class.

[christopher575.livejournal.com]

Sorry, but no, it'll be like math, not like sex ed. Nobody was allowed to stay out of Communication Skills class at my school.

[njbearcub1.livejournal.com]

That's cool. Please add teaching the ability to make change without looking at the screen to show how much to give, and the ability to face paper money in the same direction.

[girlvinyl.livejournal.com]

I hate when I give a combination of coins that will allow me to give out pennies but get back a quarter and the cashier looks at me like I am crazy. Then they punch it in to the register and I see the "ooooooh" look on their face when it says my change is $5.25. Sometimes just using the register is quicker, kids.

[clintswan.livejournal.com]

i get this too

so sad...

[hildeaux.livejournal.com]

i had to do a group project this semester where we had to write a 'new and improved' high school exit exam. we were given an exam from 1895 and had to start from there, 'updating' it.

worst. project. ever.

our exam was pretty lulzy though. i definitely tried to incorporate some of what you're talking about in this post.

[mika-says.livejournal.com]

Add to the curriculum not standing in a line or a narrow aisle and then backing up suddenly a large distance without looking. This happens almost daily here where I live and what happens is they always step on or stumble over someone behind them - which you think would make them stop doing this. No. Everyone assumes no one is behind them at all times. Even in line. Which makes no sense. More "I am the only person in the world" belief problems annoying people seem to have.