This might seem like a strangely random topic, but it is something I have long held to be true. An incident last Saturday morning got me going and I dwelt on this idea for a few minutes and I will share more tomorrow, but first back to the incident at hand.

I had gone shopping with my two year old (in his buggy) to our local Lidl. There came a moment when I was struggling to find something I needed and it was another customer and her kindness that helped me out. A few minutes later in a different part of the supermarket I saw her again. This time she was helping an elderly lady to read a label on some ham. I made a point of commenting to her when she was done about how kind she was and that it was really refreshing, especially when it costs nothing.

This proved to be a great irony with what almost immediately followed.

After I had paid, I set the little one's buggy to one side, and seemingly out of the way of other customers, as I put the shopping in the storage area below his seat. I did my best not to block the way, but then sure enough a guy with his wife came steaming through and hit me on the hip (the one I had replaced, that is still not totally right) and carried on as if nothing had happened.

So, somewhat passive-aggressively, I said "Excuse me or sorry would be nice next time".

His response was quite aggressive but I think he contained himself because a) his wife was there and b) I had a small child with me. I then went on to explain "Of course it was an accident and I am not suggesting otherwise, but you still hit me with the shopping trolley - even accidentally. And yes I may have been inadvertently blocking your way."

He looked at me as though I was making a fuss over nothing. Maybe I was, but this is what I meant the other day when I said I don't back down. Right is right - right?

He then left the supermarket and I was probably a minute behind him. I saw him again as he was loading his shopping into the back of his car. I said to my little one (and maybe I shouldn't have). "Let's keep away from the stupid idiot".

For some reason he was offended!

So I said to him, "If you look like an idiot and behave like one your probably are an idiot".

What I really wanted to say was the idiomatic version of this saying - "if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it is probably a duck" - but it would have got lost in "crossed culture".

Please notice, I did acknowledge that it was at least in part my fault, as I was slightly blocking the way, and that I am sure it was an accident on his part. Nonetheless it is a given that even an accidental wrong should be followed by an apology which represents an acceptance and a taking of responsibility for one's own actions.

Failure to do this means not giving a f**k about how you behave and not giving a s**t about others.

I repeat right is right - right?

The worst thing is that it set up a lot of negativity at the beginning of the day which could have carried over (at least it wasn't Mama_Rah this time) and tomorrow I will share more of those little irritations that can set a day up badly.

And on that note, please stay safe and well as always my friends, take responsibility and own your mistakes even if they are inadvertent.