Michael O'Hair

As most people on this list have noticed, there are a lot of people out
there who have serious problems and would like to take it out on somebody.
Preferably a smaller weaker somebody. These people are called bullies. I
group these people into the genus "jerk." There are violent jerks and
nonviolent jerks. The first thing to remember is that to deal with a jerk,
you can wind up acting like a jerk yourself.

I evolved an approach based on the simple concept that rewarding good
behavior is a lot better (and a lot easier, there being less of it) than
trying to punish bad behavior (there being far too much of it).

So here's the pitch: The next time you see someone (in a car, on a bike,
walking,whatever) do something that qualifies as good behavior ( common
sense, good manners, paying attention) give them a round of applause. Or
just say 'way to go' or 'thank you.' And then ask them to pass it on.

Who knows? It may catch on.