Attitudes are Contagious – Is Yours Worth Catching
By: Lexi Smith
My husband and I went on a grocery run this morning. It was a dreary, snowy day and I wanted to get home. We quickly ran through the store getting what we needed and headed for the check out line. When we got up to the register, the cashier never acknowledged us. She scanned our items and threw them down to the bagger. My husband tried to engage her by saying “Good morning.” She ignored him. I rescued my bread from being crushed by the cans of soup forcibly being tossed in its direction.
When she was done with our order she ripped the receipt off and thrust it at my husband, who responded with a cheery, “Thanks. Have a nice day.” She never said a word back. Never made eye contact. I responded by saying, “Rudeness is not an asset.” That got her attention. She made eye contact with me. And, if looks could kill – I’d be dead. So, I took the opportunity to reinforce my comment by saying, “Yes, I mean you.” My husband pulled me by the arm and whispered in my ear, “Don’t cause trouble.”
Why not? I left the interaction with her feeing hurt and somehow demeaned. I know I didn’t cause her bad mood – but there I was – caught up in it. I felt myself wanting to . . . well, be mean back to her. How very adult of me, I know. It took everything I had not to say more – or worse, to turn my attack on to my husband for reprimanding my bad behavior.
We have all had an experience (or more) of being treated unkindly by someone having a bad day. It happens and it’s so easy to pick up on that negative energy. When I found myself being completely sucked into her nasty mood, I could have done any one of the following not to go there with her: Left the scene of the pending crime against my psyche and let my husband handle the transaction; ignored her back and just let her have her mood; or smiled at her and everyone else around me – picking up on the positive energy around me.
Attitudes are a choice. Yes – we will have bad days. It was cold and miserable outside. People were in a hurry. Let’s face it – I wasn’t in a great mood myself. So, when I reacted to her – it was my choice to take on her lousy attitude. Just as our negative attitudes are contagious – so too are our positive ones. When I am happy and treating others kindly – mean people have no effect on me. And, when I am having an off day – it just feels like I’m setting myself up for an attack. The next time someone treats you badly – take a deep breath. Examine your own attitude. Any adjustment needed? If not – gracefully walk away from the encounter before you do need one.
Lexi Smith is a lifestyle guru for the woman seeking positive change. She is owner and creative director of Being Fabulous!, a consultation and personal shopping service designed to help clients achieve a higher quality of life by finding their own signature style.