We tend to see our own behavior as a product of our circumstances, while we see the behavior of others as proof of their character. For example, if you see someone driving way too fast while passing you, they are aggressive or inconsiderate. Meanwhile, if you speed down a road it's because you are trying to get to a meeting on time because you woke up late this morning. Applying circumstances to other people has really helped me become less angry with the general public. Maybe that old lady is driving slow because she's got a cake in the front seat she's baked for her granddaughter's birthday. Maybe that man that was short with me on the phone really had to poop and I called at the wrong time. Maybe none of those things are true, but thinking them certainly helps reduce my anger at other people's actions.
We tend to see our own behavior as a product of our circumstances, while we see the behavior of others as proof of their character. For example, if you see someone driving way too fast while passing you, they are aggressive or inconsiderate. Meanwhile, if you speed down a road it's because you are trying to get to a meeting on time because you woke up late this morning. Applying circumstances to other people has really helped me become less angry with the general public. Maybe that old lady is driving slow because she's got a cake in the front seat she's baked for her granddaughter's birthday. Maybe that man that was short with me on the phone really had to poop and I called at the wrong time. Maybe none of those things are true, but thinking them certainly helps reduce my anger at other people's actions.