Christmas Tolerance.

It’s normally in the first couple of weeks in December that people start to go a little crazy about their Christmas shopping. As the days close in on the climax of the festive period, the madness becomes even more maniacal.

Never mind that people don’t have the cash at hand that they used to five years ago, but the pressures of Christmas remain ever constant. There’s the food, the tree, the decorations and everything that comes with over indulgence. 

But it’s the buying of presents that seem to take precedence over everything else.

What struck me most about the panic for buying gifts over the last few days was the level of expectation and impatience that seemed to vibrate through everyone.

People have the capacity when under great pressure, to become plain rude.

People were obnoxious to anyone that held them up or made them stand in line for much longer than they wanted to.

Their levels of anxiousness were heightened due to the extra volumes of people milling around shops and shopping centres.

I had this conversation with a young lady who worked behind the counter of a popular children’s toy shop. She agreed that the buzz was great and that people in general, were more friendly but definitely more impatient. If they came shopping with their children, their patience always wore thinner.

And this is what I found amazing – we were in the first few days of December and all I could see in people’s eyes was a frustration for all things festive. This was something new to me – a level of impatience reaching a new peak so early.

In ten minutes I was almost run down by a young mum and her buggy and then pushed out of the way by an elderly woman to have a look at Christmas cards. Did they say “excuse me” or “sorry?” Nope.

Having purchased what I needed, I exited the shopping centre. I passed the carol singers who immediately lifted my mood and re-instilled the joy that is Christmas.  

The human spirit had been revived in me. I walked out of the shopping centre and saw a man collapsed on the ground. Four strangers had gathered around him coming to his aid. He had been preoccupied with Christmas pressures and misstepped.

He tripped and hit his forehead, smashing his face off the hardness of the pavement. I offered to help, but there was no need. One man was phoning the ambulance while another placed her handbag under his head. Another lady pressed a handkerchief firmly against the wound while another retrieved a first aid kit from a nearby restaurant.

And despite his injuries, the man wasn't panicking. Because of the kindness of four strangers and their swift actions, his day wasn't going to be as bad as first feared. I wish I could have assisted more, but they had it under control.

And it reaffirmed my Christmas belief in people. No matter what the pressures of everyday life or the holiday season, people are giving and generous souls.

 And their tolerance for anything is amazing.