Social Behavior Behind The Wheel
At my local gas station, there's often a line to use the pumps. Meanwhile, people who have finished pumping their gas, and have already paid at the pump, go into the convenience store for a coffee. There are plenty of parking spots outside the convenience store. Obviously people are supposed to look around, realize there's a line, consider the needs of others, and move their car to one of those empty spots so that someone else can use the gas pump while they're inside getting their coffee. But instead, many people leave their car at the pump and delay everyone else. It's more like an inconvenience store!
Then there's the four-way stop. I guess what I learned in driver's education all those years ago was wrong. Apparently a 4-way stop means "I stopped, and now I'll just go even if you were there first." I didn't know there were so many VIPs living in my neighborhood!
Instead of dealing with rude drivers, perhaps you'd rather take public transit. Well, in several cities the subways have resorted to hiring celebrities to record messages about basic etiquette. Do we really need Seth Rogen to remind us not to put our feet on the seat?
When you see people behaving like this, how does it make you feel? Do you want to be around them? Or, looking in the mirror, do you yourself sometimes behave this way? Are you accidentally teaching your kids that this type of behavior is OK? That guy at the gas station: how do you think he behaves at work or with his family? When he was younger, did he cut in line at school, or grab toys out of other kids' hands? Was he constantly in the principal's office? Patterns from childhood continue into adulthood.
In the social behavior course we learn how to think about the thoughts and feelings of others, and the consequences to others of our actions. When we behave selfishly, others have negative thoughts about us. They will be angry and won't want to interact with us. Instead, we really do need to treat people the way we want to be treated. Learning about social behavior has lifetime benefits.
Hi, I’m Stacey!
Since 2010 I've helped kids, teens, and adults with social, academic, and behavior challenges.
I'm passionate about helping people to break through their social limitations to improve their lives.
I HELP IN 3 WAYS:
Social Behavior Course
Navigating the social, academic, & work world effectively
Parent Consulting
Helping you to support your kids at their school
Collaborative Problem Solving ®*
Resolving conflicts more effectively