Common Courtesy

The bell rings. I pick up my binders and begin the journey from Arlingtonian to Advanced Ceramics. Cutting across the courtyard to avoid the congested hallways, I arrive at the doors to the freshman hallway. To my surprise the person walking in front of me lets the door come to a close shortly after he makes his way through the entry. My frustration begins as I pull the handle: locked.

Banging my fist against the glass, I attempt to attract someone’s attention. No such luck. I’m going to be late to class. After several minutes and many more attempts to gain the attention of the students streaming through the halls, someone finally opens the door. I thank them as I continue to class.

This situation easily could have been avoided had the person who let the door slam behind him held the door for three seconds. Here’s a tip: If someone is behind you in the courtyard, hold the door.

If you know you’re going to be late to class, the people behind you are obviously going to be late as well; put yourself in their position: Would you want them to hold the door for you?

Another common courtesy tip: Open the door for people in need. Take the extra 10 steps to help out a fellow student. Make the first move and make someone’s day better.

Now, when someone goes the extra steps to open the door for you, thank them. It’s just two words; two syllables. Because something even more frustrating than waiting outside in the cold is when you go out of your way to help someone and you’re not even given a thank you.

Common courtesy among high school students is becoming, well, not so common. Some students are far too concerned about what is occupying their new iPhones rather than being considerate of the students and teachers around them. Now, I don’t have the new iPhone, but for me to say that I never check my cell phone in the hall would be a lie. Yet, if someone drops their books you better know that I’ll be putting my cell phone away to help out that person.

Holding the door for someone is just a first step. Try saying “I’m sorry” when you run into someone in the hallway. Better yet, when someone drops a pencil on the floor from the desk next to you, pick it up. This would eliminate the awkward body contortions that ensue when a pencil rolls just a little too far from its owner.

Practicing common courtesy is just one way you can ensure that our generation succeeds in the future. Do the Upper Arlington students a favor and make a change. Together, we can better the outlook of our student body and be more polite.