From "Celebrating Silence" by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:
What do you do when someone behaves rudely to you?
Get upset.
Respond rudely.
Become frustrated.
Run away from the person or avoid the situation in the future.
Blame the person.
Preach to the person.
None of these will in any way strengthen you. What are the options? See someone's rude behavior in this light:
Rudeness indicates the intensity of their commitment.
It indicates their level of stress and insensitivity.
It attests to the upbringing of the person.
It indicates a persistent behavioral pattern.
It shows a lack of knowledge.
It shows a lack of insight into their own mind and its sensations.
It shows you behavior to avoid.
It is an opportunity for you to welcome and absorb the rudeness.
It strengthens your mind.
It renders unconditional the love that you are.
The next time someone is rude to you, make sure you do not get upset. Just return a broad smile. If you can digest rudeness, nothing whatsoever can shake you.
