Collaborative Wednesday is one of my most productive times of the week. I am always able to get a large portion of my homework done during these two hours, however, this Wednesday I had an unpleasant experience making me reconsider not only the value of this time, but also my faith in the respectful behavior of my classmates.

On the way to my fourth hour, I was having a discussion with a classmate about an important meeting for one of my extracurricular activities when a girl, rushing to get to her class on time shoved me aside as she shouted, “Excuse me sir! You’re in the middle of the hallway!” The only way I was acknowledged afterwards was the back of her Lululemon tote bag, and the maniacal cackling of her friends.

To whomever you were: do you really think that you are so important that you have a right to push somebody aside because you decided to spend a little more time than you should have on your fast food lunch? I deserve to be treated as a human being which you did not even grant to me. We could have had a very positive encounter. You could have kindly cautioned me against standing in the hallway, explaining that it’s hard for traffic to get through, and I would have thanked you for the reminder, confessing that it’s a bad habit of mine. Instead, you didn’t even consider meeting me. You didn’t know my name, yet you had no problem treating me like was an obstacle that you could push aside the way you fling open a door that’s blocking you.

You and your friends thought your behavior was hilarious. I didn’t find it amusing at all, in fact, I was very hurt by it. I spent much of my fourth hour contemplating how anyone could be so uncivil to someone.

To anyone listening: I hope you learn an important lesson from this. Your behavior in the hallway can make, or break someone’s day. As seen in my example above, you could seriously offend them or you could give a simple smile. I can guarantee that this will brighten anyone’s day, and you’ll feel like a better person afterwards. And to anyone who sees inappropriate pushing and shoving, please don’t stand for it. If you want the hallways to have an environment of respect, it’s up to you to refuse to accept aggressive, rude behavior as a norm.