How to Forgive Rude Behavior

Rude behavior is everywhere-from the self-centered guy who cuts in front of you in traffic to the kid who lets out a loud, purposeful belch at the dinner table. It's easy to get all riled up over rudeness, but resentment only hurts you, not the offender. Here's how to forgive rude behavior.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Realize that being angry at strangers who bring too many items into the 10 items or less lane at the supermarket or steal your parking spot is not a productive emotion. Fuming isn't going to make you happier, healthier, thinner, richer or anything aside from stressed. Recognize that it's in your best interest to forgive and move on.

2. Consider extenuating circumstances. Perhaps the driver who flashed her high beams at you and honked his horn always drives like an idiot-or maybe she's in a hurry to get home and care for a sick child. Since you don't know much about her aside from her current behavior, withhold judgment. Give her the benefit of the doubt.

3. Vow to be the bigger person. Instead of looking at someone else's rudeness as permission to do the same bad behavior yourself, feel bad for the person. Realize personal problems, poor anger management skills or even just a bad upbringing caused them to lack the politeness and restraint that you possess. Empathize rather than imitate.

4. Graciously deal with the rude behavior if you have an opportunity to interact with the offender. "My goodness, you must be in a hurry if you're cutting in front of me in line. Go ahead," is a kind, forgiving way to both point out the rudeness and disperse of resentment at the same time. Or you could simply point out what they did, wait for an apology and say "I forgive you" if the apology is offered.

5. Do one exceptionally nice thing every time you experience rudeness-whether it's helping a frail old woman walk across the street or offering to help your neighbor carry in the groceries. That way you'll be counteracting the negative energy caused by the rudeness and making the world a better place in the process.