Dear Readers,
You know the saying - inspiration is everywhere; you just need to walk through the world with your eyes and ears open. Well, let me rephrase it: etiquette inspiration is everywhere - even when we don’t ask for it.
That’s the best way to describe my recent experience at Palermo Airport. My summer vacation in Sicily had come to an end, and after carefree days surrounded by family, delicious food, and sunny beaches, I was one flight away from heading back to work. If a time machine had already been invented, I would have guessed I had traveled to a future where bad manners served as the ultimate reminder of how important it is to be polite, kind, and well-mannered.
I had just joined the line in front of the ladies’ restroom (a reminder that wherever you go, the line is always longer than in front of the men’s facilities) when a woman - visibly in a rush - tried to skip the queue by entering the restroom reserved for travellers with reduced mobility.
Just a few seconds later, the airport janitor appeared and began shouting at her for using a restroom that, in his words, was “clearly not for her.”
A verbal fight broke out, with some other travelers in line pulling out their phones to record the scene (I wish I were joking). Whether it ended up on social media I don’t know, but I certainly ran out of fingers to count the etiquette breaches I witnessed.
As the situation escalated, I couldn’t help but wonder how much tone of voice and delivery affect the outcome of any dialogue. This entire incident could have been resolved calmly if emotions had been kept in check and polite words had been chosen instead.
Now, is it appropriate to use a facility designated for those with reduced mobility if, in fact, we don’t have reduced mobility? Not really. But we always need to remember to consider context. Was the traveller in such a rush that she risked missing her flight if she waited in the long line? Are reduced mobility restrooms reserved only for those with visible disabilities, or can people with invisible yet equally real disabilities also use them? And if no person in need is waiting nearby, is it ever acceptable for others to use it to help ease the endless line?
There isn’t one single answer to these questions. Sometimes, we have to act with our best intentions in mind.
That being said, the best intention is never to shout at people, mock them, or make a scene. Such behaviour not only stirs emotions but also puts others in the uncomfortable position of feeling ashamed, defensive - or both.
It’s important to realise that we live in a world we share with others. It doesn’t belong solely to us, but is meant to be co-enjoyed and co-cared for.
It’s safe to say that after this experience, I was back at work - mentally, at least - even before boarding the plane that took me to my work desk.
What is your opinion? Do you think it’s acceptable to use a reduced-mobility facility even if we are able to use the other restrooms?
Yours sincerely,
Katarina
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