Manners

Cringeworthy

I've always subscribed to the idea that character is revealed by how one treats the people he or she doesn't "need."  The people we run across every day but never interact with beyond a passing, superficial level.

I was struck by this sequence the other day while watching Chelsea play at Athletico Madrid.  It was a tough day for Athletico, drawing nil-nil at home to the Blues.  But I just can't imagine behaving like this: After being taken off the field, a coach tucked Athletico player Diego  into a nice parka.  This world-class player, after putting both arms in the top and walking from the midfield stripe to the dugout in it...then dumps jacket on ground in front of the coach who's then left to pick it up:

Boy, this is a nice, warm jacket.
I wonder where it came from...

but I'm warm enough.  I'll just put it where my mom taught
me to hang my jacket when I'm done with it, on the ground
in front of the person who gave it to me.

I mean, he's gotta be thrilled to be able to pick up the laundry
of such an amazing person like me...even if he does get fired
because we lose to Chelsea (mostly because I couldn't score)

I guess that's how it is these days...If you make a few bucks, have a fancy car in the driveway and have a bad day at work, you can treat your co-workers and all those around you like sub-humans.  

Folks who get off on this sort of behavior must be cheering for Donald Sterling about now...and anyone with any sense should be wondering how far from just acting like an ass on the touchline is from being an out-and-out racist/sexist/bigot.  

All "please" and "thank you" mean is simply that you see the person standing in front of you, that you honor their dignity to which every person is fully entitled.  Shame on Diego (and anyone who would let something like this pass with no comment).