Dear Jacquelyn,

While shopping this week, I had an uncomfortable experience at the checkout. The line was long and a customer behind me was loudly expressing disapproval. I didn’t know if I should turn around, nod in agreement, or ignore the person. I didn’t want the scene to escalate. How should I respond to a stranger’s rude and impatient behavior?

Dear Reader,

We all have to wait at times, taking our turns and being courteous.

There’s a chance the impatient stranger had a lot on their mind and they were trying to multitask through their day. The frustration built and you became an unlucky recipient of their hostility.

Anytime you encounter a situation like this, remember you are only responsible for your own behavior. You can’t control anyone else.

Practice controlling your emotional response and don’t take someone else’s impatience personally.

When a customer behind you is becoming noticeably antsy, it’s best to stay quiet.

Maybe they are having a bad day and they are venting. No matter what, don’t join in their tirade, as it will only make the situation worse.

Choose to deal with them politely. Take a few deep breaths, shake it off, and if possible, find humor in the situation.

Anytime you are dealing with strangers who commit questionable infractions, I suggest smiling politely and without judgement. You probably will never know what events may have transpired in their life that day to cause them to behave so rudely.

In the fast-paced world we live in, we could all use a little more patience. It’s time we all slow down and handle impatience with patience.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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