Hi Bill,

I can understand getting momentarily pissed at people for being rude. But shame comes from a deep, unconscious place or from the distant past. These people are triggering you, that’s all. And if total strangers can make you feel shamed, you’re in trouble! You are putting random people in the street above you somehow. Not good.

But acting out and being a jerk would be like being a tantruming child or a rebellious teen in The Universe. When my child is having a tantrum I ignore him/her. But when my teen rebels, the teen better watch out! I’m saying don’t be surprised if you get your azz handed back to you when you try to behave as they do. They’ve been rude all their life, you see, and know how to get away with it. You’d be just getting started.

Better solution is to grow a spine and talk back. Not meanly, but here… The bus: “Get your hearing checked, sweetheart. I did say excuse me.” The door incident with the guy: “I didn’t hear/see you behind me, you are like a ninja, you’re so quiet.”

Learn Assertiveness. Look it up online or in books. It is an awesome life tool!

Best,

Inky