I offer tissues when someone sneezes and has a “bat in the cave.”

I offer mints after lunch and coffee.I bring candy to my reading group when we are set to discuss “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett.

Why is it then that none of these people say “thank you”?

I try not to get discouraged from being my true self. I am a thoughtful person. When I had a cold, I had leftover boxes of tissues that I had purchased in mass quantity from Target. I kept a small box of tissues in my bag just in case. When a co-worker sneezed, she blew loose a nice, wet booger on the side of her nose. I looked on in horror as someone sat beside her and talked, and talked, and talked. Not once discreetly letting her know that she had a “bat in the cave.” So I leaned in and whispered as nicely as I could that the nose was in need of cleaning. I whipped out my tissue box. She did not say “thank you” or even “how dare you tell me I had a booger”, nothing. Then, to add insult to injury, she took another tissue. I only offered her one!

After drinking coffee, which I prefer strong and slightly sweet, my mouth needs cleaning. If I do not have time to properly clean up with a travel toothbrush, I will pop a mint. When with other people, I will offer mints and gum to all at the table. No big deal I guess. Why then do I let it irritate me sometimes that people will take the mints and gum, sometimes snatching the package from me and helping themselves to what’s left, and not bother to say “thank you”?

On Wednesday nights, I sit down with a lovely group of ladies who like to read, eat, and talk. These women will discuss a book like they are on a television show. Real detailed synopsis. It is often boring, especially when one person dominates the conversation, going into such detail that she digresses often and gets to the point less often. I stopped at CVS prior to the book club meeting to pick up candy for my mother. My mom has developed a fondness for Snickers and Butterfingers, so I get them for her when they are on sale. While browsing the candy aisle, I decided to pick up some treats for the book club ladies. I was making a contribution. With a sugar rush, perhaps the long winded will speed it up. I was reaching, sure. So, I brought the candy. A few ladies said “thanks” and “how nice”. When the hostess drew the room’s attention to the fact that I brought some candy, she began clapping. A very weak, pitiful round of applause ensued. It sounded so soft, like these people had cotton balls for hands. I was disgusted to see that one lady who did not clap at all, did not acknowledge the act of kindness in any way, went over and opened up a bag of orange slices candy and popped them in her mouth like she bought them herself.

I’ll be darned.