Courtesy questions in COVID-19

Dear Amy: I am walking on a trail that is only a few feet wide. Someone is coming toward me. Neither of us is wearing a mask.

I step off the trail to give the other person space. The other person walks by without saying anything.

Am I wrong in thinking I should receive a “thank you” for moving aside?

And then there are masks in general, the wearing of which seems to be devolving into a political statement.

I wear a mask in public, not because it protects me, but because it protects other people.

If we were going to be courteous to other people, wouldn’t we all wear a mask?

I realize that courtesy and etiquette in the age of COVID-19 is a minor issue. But I think things would be a little better if we were more courteous with each other. Am I getting too worked up about nothing? — Seeking Too Much Courtesy?

Dear Seeking: You might benefit from some perspective. I wonder if for every instance of rudeness, there might be two or three people demonstrating social kindness. Rudeness takes up a lot of space.

I agree that you are being courteous, and the other person should acknowledge your courtesy. But — people don’t always behave in optimal ways. In American culture, we don’t seem to have a rigid code of social conduct. This means that people interpret their own personal freedom as license to behave how they want.

Also — lots of people weren’t raised as well as you may have been. Or — they’re having a bad day or distractedly walking.

People should not necessarily wish for a verbal acknowledgment.

The virus seems to be spread primarily through aerosolized particles expelled when people speak, cough or sneeze. A silent wave, thumbs up or head nod might be preferable to a verbal “thank you.”