“How Rude!”, Marty Merzer’s story in Sunday’s Miami Herald, was a refreshing 1A story for many in the South Florida community (though it may have been anticlimactic for some to learn that the story was not related to the hit sitcom Full House, a personal favorite of some of The Hurricane’s staff). But while it certainly brought up a great point-that people are becoming excessively rude in the United States today-it failed to really drive home what it should have, or perhaps had originally intended to do.
It is no secret to any of us, Miami natives and non-natives alike, that Miami takes rudeness to a new level, at least compared to other U.S. standards. And we’re all accountable. Merzer’s article touched on the ethnic divides that define Miami’s melting pot (or salad dressing) culture. But it failed to bring up other social tensions: elderly against adolescent, rich against poor, homosexual against homophobic, among others. The story gave national percentages, but failed to deliver on Miami-specific numbers.
Though the numbers aren’t there to support it, we’ll still ask: Why is rudeness so common here? Miami has weather that should make anyone happy to have the opportunity to live here. The amalgamation of cultures should be a good thing, giving people the chance to learn and love what’s available. But there’s the guy cutting you off at the grocery line, or someone complaining-to the cashier’s face-that he or she can’t speak English well enough. Or the woman who noticeably is pressing the “Close” button as you approach the elevator.
It’s an issue that we should take into account in our everyday lives-in respecting others’ opinions, displaying patience and kindness, and not getting so worked up over everything.
We all have to chip in to make the situation better, and if saying that touches your nerve, we apologize.