Courtesy Please

The foreign man suddenly extended his phone to me, instructing me to listen, in a matter of fact way, as he can’t understand the speaker. I ignored him for a few moments, before taking the phone, though I had absolutely no obligation, to pass the speaker’s message.

Returning the phone, I told him, ‘Don’t be so rude.’ No apologies or thanks though – he just grins. I added, ‘Amituofo! I’m a Buddhist too!’ He was dressed as a monk.

I dunno if he was a real monk, but he was rude. Courtesy applies to all, monastics or otherwise. If he was a real monk, all the more should he be courteous, or he shames the robes, misrepresents Buddhism.