I think that all public interaction has become more perilous. Socially acceptable public interpersonal relationships between strangers seem to be limited to flirting and temper tantrums directed at service providers. Blame the media.

That is why I embrace impending elder years – my parents are fearless in their interactions with strangers. My mom will walk up to children who are misbehaving in public places and say in a loud voice, “If you were my child, you would not be allowed to hit/ scream/ throw things/ pull cans off the shelves.” or, even better, “I know you know better than that.” My dad is less oblique, “Stop chewing gum so I can understand you;” “Take your feet off of my chair.”

But the rest of us are too concerned with the consequences of our behaviour – Will they get mad? Will I look un-cool? Am I interfering? Will they shout at me? Am I in danger of . . .?

And we stick to what we know – offering unsolicited advice to our friends, complaining and flirting with service providers and creating amusing anecdotes about other peoples’ public behaviour.

Thus, my typical response:

What?

You mean you don’t curl up on the couch with reading glasses and a bottle of wine to read the sample. Ballot as soon as it comes in the mail? What do you mean you get all your election info from the commercials? You mean you choose your candidate and issues the same way you choose your toothpaste? Oh dear.

(Sigh)

Christina