As I walked toward the terminal, I considered how differently the encounter might have unfolded if I had responded to his first refusal with anger.
Perhaps we would have exchanged insults. Perhaps other passengers would have become involved. Perhaps a flight attendant would have needed to spend considerably more time managing the disagreement.
Instead, the situation had been addressed through a calm request and a straightforward intervention.
The experience reinforced a simple idea: people do not always respond to courtesy with courtesy, but that does not mean courtesy has no value.
Politeness is not a guarantee that others will behave well.
It is a way of communicating your expectations without unnecessarily compromising your own standards.
When politeness fails to resolve a problem, firmness may be required.
And when firmness alone is not enough, seeking appropriate assistance is often wiser than escalating the confrontation.
I also realized that a person does not need to deliver a devastating insult to make a point.
