Confucius say ....

certainly it's always wise to be nice to people who control your destiny. and just as wise to be nice to people, period.

but to get screwed around just because you're unfortunately dealing with a class-a jerk is just irritating. this article is appalling and disgusting. and really makes me wish there were more train-travel options.

after dealing with people, impersonally, monday through friday, on the phone, i can attest that some people are the types you really just want to hang up on. some people are pleasant, but a lot of them just don't know when to shut up; some simply want to lazily go to the head of the line; and some have a screaming marquee on their forehead which says ME FIRST.

those experiences have led me to try to remember to be polite, but brief when dealing with beleaguered people. and to avoid crowds and crowded places as much as possible.