IDAHO: Rally to keep it just so

In Sholeh Patrick’s column of July 9, she discusses changes in Idaho regarding driving culture, kindness and courtesy. One quote attributed to a long-time Idahoan was, “It’s just so Idaho to say hi to strangers in or out of the car.”

As native Idahoans, we’d like to add more “Just so Idaho” traditions to the list. We believe in the following: allowing someone with only one or two items go ahead of us in the check-out line; offering help to anyone having difficulty at a store, in a parking lot, or on the street; returning grocery carts to the cart area instead of letting them scratch or dent other cars; saying “please,” “thank you” and “excuse me” to everyone; smiling and saying “hello” when you meet someone on the street; allowing a car to merge into our lane without cutting them off; indicating a lane change with signals rather than barging into a tiny space causing others to suddenly hit their brakes; driving in the passing lane only to pass; leaving the exit/entrance lanes to a business unblocked while waiting at a signal; allowing a few seconds to move when the light turns green rather than honking; helping your neighbor shovel his snow; helping others without expecting payment in return.

If you moved here from somewhere else, no doubt you admired our friendliness, kindness and willingness to help others. Please let North Idaho continue to be that way. In closing, let’s try to keep it “Just so Idaho!”

CONNIE and BILL ARTHUR

Dalton Gardens