![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ubm-photo-201x300.jpg\")
<\/a>By Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D. FAAFP<\/strong><\/p>\nOnce upon a time, Doctor Curmudgeon\u00ae wrote a column about four letter words. The star of that old column was \u201cdiet\u201d<\/p>\n
However there is another four letter word that I, unfortunately, have become acquainted with.<\/p>\n
It has become a descriptor that runs rampant throughout our daily lives.<\/p>\n
This four letter word is all too unfortunately, pervading our world, our everyday lives. It threads through the fabric of our society.<\/p>\n
It flashes into my mind, all too frequently.<\/p>\n
It appears in bright neon letters:<\/p>\n
RUDE!<\/p>\n
RUDENESS!<\/p>\n
It is not just the men wearing their caps when I enter the exam room. Because when I request that they remove them, they do so.<\/p>\n
It is everywhere.<\/p>\n
I will return a patient’s call in the evening and spend whatever time is necessary discussing their question…and then…and then…many just hang up.<\/p>\n
Where is the kind “Thank you, doc?”<\/p>\n
Sometimes, if the conversation is ending and the individual is about to hang up, I will quickly say (sarcasm font on) “Thank you.” Usually the response before the caller hangs up on me is “Oh, Yeah.”<\/p>\n
Politeness is the wonderful soothing oil that smoothes a civilized society.<\/p>\n
It is redolent of respect for one another.<\/p>\n
It displays appreciation and thankfulness.<\/p>\n
When we are treated politely, we do feel good.<\/p>\n
If I, inadvertently bump into someone, I will always apologize, and all too often, I get a reply such as “Yeah, you should have watched where you are going.” True, but sometimes, bumps just happen.<\/p>\n
Running towards an elevator, it is a rare occurrence for someone in that vehicle, to actually press the Hold button or put a hand across in order to delay its closing.<\/p>\n
Don’t mention the times we see someone attempting to go through a door with arms loaded with packages…and it is quite rare for someone to step forward and hold that door open.<\/p>\n
Or the times that I call a patient to review results, and leave several messages. When I am fortunate enough to reach that patient, I do inquire as to why my calls have not been returned. I am told that the individual was too busy and could have called during a lunch hour, but preferred not to interrupt their feeding time.<\/p>\n
Besides being a curmudgeon, I must be an old crank…but so it is.<\/p>\n
“Please, thank you and excuse me,” can often soothe an equally cranky world.<\/p>\n
Ah, I would so like to erase that word “rude” from appearing in my brain<\/p>\n
I am aware that there are those among you who might counter with reminders of Winston Churchill’s storied rudeness. His “rudeness” stemmed from impatience, intensity and great intelligence.<\/p>\n
Sir Winston once said, \u201cA gentleman is a man who is only rude when he intends to bel\u201d<\/p>\n
I have not had the great good fortune to encounter a Winston Churchill among the rude beings that I meet. Nowhere is that brilliant wittiness to be found threading through their quips. Just plain rudeness!<\/p>\n
Doctor Curmudgeon\u00ae is Diane Batshaw Eisman, M.D., a physician-satirist. This column originally appeared on SERMO, the leading global social network for doctors.<\/p>\n