Rudeness..

I've been mulling over, for several weeks, a You Tube video I saw shared by someone I know on Facebook. The video shows staged situations in Texas where a same-sex couple are dining out in a diner with their children and the waitress expresses her opposing beliefs quite vehemently. The goal was to see if people would "stand up" for the same-sex couple. In most every staging, someone or multiple people did just that. The reason this was staged primarily in Texas is because it is one of the most "conservative" states. They did a similar experiment in New York, apparently, as well.

The experiment was designed to show that same-sex couples have rights and that people support that. I think the issue is not so much an issue of human rights in this case though, as it is an issue of manners and politeness. I find it funny that people can't seem to tell the difference these days. Quite honestly, the waitress is totally entitled to her opinions, regardless of what they are. She doesn't have to believe that a same-sex couple are living right to be polite and treat them the way she'd want to be treated. She doesn't have to support their lifestyle to treat them with love. Granted, that can be difficult to do when you don't agree with them but it's still the right thing to do unless asked.

Now, when asked if you agree with someone's lifestyle and you really don't, one can still be polite about it and express concerns in a loving way. The way the waitress in this video expressed her opinions was just plain rude. She didn't speak out of a situation of really caring. Instead, she confronted them publicly and in a judgemental manner, in front of the children. There are better ways to do things. There are thoughtful and loving ways to ask questions and put across one's point of view.

Next time you are tempted to boldly confront someone about a sensitive topic, think twice about the whys and the hows. Your "why" should be one that is for the other persons more so than just for yourself. And remember, it truly does matter how you come across to others, especially those whom you want to understand your beliefs.

Dee..