Is it just me or would everything be a lot nicer in this world if it wasn't for other people? At 27 I am already finding myself turning into Victor Meldrew but with the way the general public seem to treat eachother, is it any wonder?

No thank you's from the person you let pass by, pushed out of the way by aggressive shoppers in the supermarket, served by miserable shop assistants who just about grunt at you let alone speak. No wonder it is rubbing off on everyone else. Call me grouchy but I really am turning into someone who doesn't really want to deal with other people in every day situations because strangers are rude, miserable and appear to have no manners. Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about social situations.. I love socialising and chatting with strangers while waiting at the bar or whatever. I am talking about the day to day tasks that mean we have to interact with rude grouches who seem to have a problem with the rest of the world.

I know times are hard and we are in the worst double dip recession since the 1950s. It is a very uncertain time for many at the moment as a lot of us know already or have experienced but the point I am making is manners cost nothing. Surely it would make you feel better to greet someone with a smile and say 'thank you' to someone who holds a door open for you?

During tough times nothing makes you feel better than the kindness of others or having a giggle with someone special. I find it cheers me up even more if a stranger has been kind to me or made me laugh while queuing to pay for my petrol. The fact that someone who doesn't know me has wanted to interact and either help me or make me smile can make my day a little brighter.

I'm not saying I am never grumpy or am queen of happy... I wish I was! I admire those people who seem to be constantly happy all day no matter what but having been through tougher times in the past I have learnt that by smiling and having a more positive outlook from the moment you wake up can have a more positive affect on your wellbeing and happiness. People warm to you a lot more too!

So, to summerise.... Stop being grumpy!!