Column: The Whiteboard Jungle: Here’s a good New Year’s resolution: improved etiquette

The new year is typically a time when people make resolutions. Here is a list of my resolutions, not for me, but for those among us who never learned about showing consideration for others.

As a teacher, I have a front-row seat to bad manners.

Students regularly yawn uttering a large roar, never covering their mouths. I’ve lost track of how often a student walks in the middle of two people having a conversation without saying, “excuse me.”

When teens talk to one another in person, they should remove all ear buds; otherwise, it looks like the person is not giving his full attention to the speaker.

I wish people would resurrect the saying “you’re welcome” instead of “no problem” when someone says “thank you.”

“No problem” gives the wrong impression that whatever act was performed was a difficulty — not a pleasure.

Sometimes I feel I must be the last man on earth who feels that swearing in public is not OK especially when children are present.

I still recall a family vacation a decade ago when my wife and two young boys were strolling the streets of Golden, Colo., past a group of men sitting at an outside table, their discussion peppered with vulgarities.

As we passed, one of them said, “Pardon us.” The reason this has remained in my memory is because it is the only time I have ever heard such an apology coming from another human being.

After unloading groceries, return the shopping cart to the proper corral; the parking lots have several. Think about the next driver who won’t be able to park in the space without hitting the cart left behind. Is it that much effort to walk it back?

Try not going to See’s Candies for a free sample without any intention of buying anything. Too many selfish people take advantage of a kind gesture.

During the holidays, I saw an elderly man get free candy for himself, his wife and granddaughter. Then, when his granddaughter said she did not like chocolate, he went ahead and asked the employee for another choice of candy.

Loyal customers end up footing the bill for these freeloaders. Plus, what lesson is the grandfather teaching?

At the gym, wipe down the machines after using them. Most members don’t even wipe them before using them. I’m stunned watching people put their bare hands on equipment not knowing whose hands were previously there and what bacteria was on those hands.

Enough with people taking their dogs everywhere they go. Latest crazy sighting? At a Starbucks. No, not at an outside patio, but inside ... with the cocker spaniel sitting on a stool.

People in recent years have been sensitive about nut allergies which affect about 7% of the population, yet allergies to dogs and cats are nearly double that, at 15%. So why aren’t more merchants and customers complaining about the dogs?

I wish bicyclists would at least slow down at stop signs. Why someone riding a bike feels emboldened to run through stop signs at the risk of being hit by a 2-ton motor vehicle is beyond me. Too often people count on the consideration of other people without exhibiting that behavior themselves.

People think nothing of using their hands to text or talk using a cellphone while driving, yet for some reason using their turn signal requires too much effort for their fellow drivers.

With everything automatic in cars these days, surely car companies can program signals to automatically go on as soon as the driver turns the steering wheel a specified number of degrees.

Funny how drivers blow through stop signs and red lights, but delay going on green lights due to using their cellphones.

For 2019, let us keep in mind that we live in communities. Showing consideration for others makes us all safer … and nicer.

Brian Crosby is a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and the author of “Smart Kids, Bad Schools” and “The $100,000 Teacher.” He can be reached at www.brian-crosby.com.

BRIAN CROSBY is a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and the author of “Smart Kids, Bad Schools” and “The $100,000 Teacher.” He can be reached at www.brian-crosby.com.