Last week, as I was walking out of the cafeteria, I was caught up in the bottleneck traffic jam of the main door. As I struggled past all of my peers to try and get to my Link Crew advisory on time, a massive linebacker of a guy plowed right into me. I don’t know why I didn’t see him approaching on the horizon like The Mothership in “Independence Day,” but he’d taken me down before I could even register his Aéropostale T-shirt.  As he rushed past to find his friends, I doubt he even noticed that he’d pushed me, arms flailing, into a group of chattering freshmen. It was definitely not a dignifying moment.

Stories like this one are definitely common in our school, especially as more and more students join Huntley’s ranks, but they’re definitely avoidable. The issue here is that people simply don’t pay attention to others. I’m here today to get up on my soapbox and spread the word about common courtesy, because, at least according to what I’ve observed in the halls, it seems to be dying a slow, excruciatingly painful death.

How to be courteous:

1. Say hello

It’s depressing to walk down the halls and see people with complete disregard for everyone around them. You’ve seen them before- they move slowly, dragging themselves along like walking to next hour is ridiculously tedious, and hold their heads ludicrously high, looking straight through you. Sometimes I feel like I’m surrounded by “America’s Next Top Model” hopefuls who’ve yet to learn how to smize. If you’re one of the runway zombies, try and snap out of it. I understand that it’s 7 a.m. and you’d rather be at home, but it never hurts to send someone a smile and wave.

2. Mind your backpack

The number of times I’ve been whacked with a backpack while walking through the hallways is ridiculous, and the number of times I’ve seen other people whacked by backpacks is nearly double that. I understand that most Huntley students are rushing around with multiple textbooks in their backpacks, and, sometimes, we all resemble hunchback turtles, but you can’t just ignore the fact you’ve got a giant backpack. Whirling around in the hallways regardless of the giant bag of textbooks protruding a foot out of your back is just rude, especially when you send people flying as your Jansport smacks them in the face.

3. Don’t assume you’re entitled

Just a few weeks ago, as I stood in line at Kohl’s, another register opened up right next to the one I was standing at. As the cashier announced that she could help the next customer in line (me), the woman behind me aggressively rushed forward to claim my spot at the register. Waiting in line for a few more moments didn’t bother me, but the fact that this woman had just assumed that she deserved to be helped next was infuriating. I’ve observed so many different occasions of aggressive, entitled people pushing others, equally or even more deserving, out of their way. Always consider those around you and don’t just assume that you can take more than you deserve.

4. Be a courteous driver (or biker, or skateboarder, etc.)

According to rmiia.org, 3,023 teenagers ages 13-19 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2011. Teens are inexperienced drivers, and when you throw a bunch of teenagers together in one area like, say, the entrance to the high school, it puts a lot of drivers in danger. When I see teens driving on the wrong side of the road or pulling crazy stunts to avoid the smallest bit of traffic, it makes me furious. Not only are they putting themselves at risk, but they’re putting other drivers at risk too. Be courteous to your fellow drivers and follow basic rules of the road, and don’t be overly critical or rude to new drivers. When it comes to biking and skateboarding, pay attention to people walking and never cut anyone off.

5. Barking is for dogs

Sometimes when I’m in a rush or busy with something and I’m interrupted, I can get a bit snappy. I always feel quite bad after I’ve snarled out a rushed “What?” and looked at the interrupter like a petulant child, and it’s a habit I’m trying to change. I’ve noticed that many other people also have little patience for nuisances, and that barking at people has become a common way of dealing with issues. Nobody deserves to be shouted at for small interruptions, no matter how annoying they may be. Instead of being impatient, try to let such little things roll off your shoulders. And swearing at people, especially with kids around? Just don’t do it. According to princeton.edu, the average person says roughly 80 to 90 swears every day, which is ridiculous.