Be Nice

While we talk about safety plans and techniques often, sometimes we have to factor in our own attitude toward the world. How we talk to people and even look at people can affect their attitude toward us.

I have a personal example of this from a trip with the wife a few years back. We went to a major city from the small town I am used to, and I will as on edge and probably over alert. I have never gotten used to a large number of people in close proximity and my wife pointed out that it was affecting the way I looked at people. This became obvious when a man seemingly took offense to my looking at him and asked what my problem was. I didn'thave a problem with him, so I apologized and kept walking, but it definitely made an impact. I had started an issue that otherwise was not there.

The moral to my story is that when we are on too high an alert, we still need to be nice. Being kind is a good way to go through life anyway, but if it can help you from getting into something violent, that's a big bonus.

Be safe, be well.