Thank You For Your Kind Consideration?

   I know that I'm 'dating' myself, perhaps, a bit, when I touch on some, certain, subject matter, on occasion. Let's face it, I grew up in a very, different, era, and, society, as compared to today's. In so saying, what I wish to 'discuss', today, is a thing that I feel is 'timeless', this, being 'common-courtesy'. I don't, really, understand what has happened, with respect to this practice, which is prescribed by social convention, or, why, it seems, that it is, barely, practiced at all, by so many, these days. I notice this, a great deal of time, when, for example, I make a phone call to a business. e.g. doctor's office(s), government offices, etc.. Whenever, I call out to a place, when the call is answered, I always, say, essentially, the same thing, or, a version of such, which is this, 'Hello, my name is Catherine Baker. How are you, today?' For some reason, unknown to me, this, often, seems to stop folks in their tracks. By my, merely, asking a person how he or she is, I have, frequently, 'thrown them a curve'. They, sometimes, stutter and stammer, sounding, visibly, shaken. Once, they 'recover' from the shock of my courteous communication, they usually answer with a 'surprised', Oh, I'm fine, thanks, and you?' How my asking a person, how he or she is, can unsettle a soul, is beyond me. Are we really, too busy, to be able to be polite? Believe me, I'm so thrilled to talk to a live party, when I make calls, as it is much, more, common for them to be answered in automated fashion, that I cannot help but display my delight. Though, based on how I am, very often, received, it's as if I've offended the person, when all I've, actually, done is employ consideration and respect. Another way in which I witness discourteous behavior from many, is through this 'interaction'. Our household, as do many, others, has, over the years, utilized 'Craigslist', when we've attempted to sell a thing. I cannot tell you how many times, after communicating with individuals, all whom have stated that they are DEFINITELY interested in the item, and ARE going to come for it a predetermined time, agreed to by both them and us, have NOT shown. In addition, most have NOT been polite enough to call to allow us they're change of heart. It's amazing, truly, that we, still, attempt to utilize this website, as we've had such disappointing results. I don't get it, really...what's up with that, anyway? One quick 'text' ...problem solved, right? Now...don't even get me started on drivers! I am not one to lose faith in others; nor, do I let these instances dishearten me. Rather than that, I choose to increase my own display of 'good manner's. These days, I'm adopting a new attitude and policy. From now on, I'm gonna 'kill 'em with kindness'! Just Sayin'...