As a person with way too many allergies in a world full of self-centered people, I get to see the ugly side of things a lot. Because people really don't like being asked to hold off on their highly-allergenic stuff in public places. I really really hate asking them because I feel like a bother in the first place, but the responses I get sure don't help.
Really people, would it kill you to keep your eggs, peanuts, makeup, perfume, and other common allergens sealed up when in enclosed public spaces? Like, oh, I don't know, on the bus? I can't very well move to discretely avoid the allergens while on a moving bus. Yes, I know that that egg salad (or pb&j) sandwhich is your breakfast/lunch/dinner. I know that you need to but on that perfume or that scented moisturizer before you get to work. I'm sorry, ok? But chances are that I'm not the only person who is starting to feel those tell-tale symptoms the minute you open that package. I'm not even allergic to all of those things, but I know what it's like to sit there wheezing and wishing that someone who could get close enough to talk to you and still breathe would do something. I don't want to get in your way, and I certainly don't want to deal with allergies, but I can't help it. Is your conscience really okay with causing a potentially lethal reaction in a stranger just to save a few minutes in the morning? Because, IF you didn't get the memo, allergies can be pretty fucking severe. And even if nobody in the room with you is allergic to what you just put in the air, the next person might be. Is it that hard to leave common allergens alone when in an enclosed public space? At least go outside so the particles don't stay trapped in the air of that one space afterwards.
Oh, and "Just try it." is NOT an appropriate response when asked what a food contains. I don't feel like "just try"ing something that could make me miserable and sick for hours afterward.

I have been thinking about the kids I've met in the horse business. It's really incredible the difference, especially in those who've been around horses all their lives. They are more responsible, less likely to put themselves in dangerous situations, and overall more thoughtful. They are wonderful people, even at their tender age. Why? Because in addition to the other benefits that riding gives, it teaches respect, reasoning, and safety. There is no greater teacher of patience and the futility of losing one's cool than a pony. These kids have learned that impatience results only in a pony who is even less inclined to cooperate and sometimes an unplanned dismount as well. They have figured out how to win an argument by calmly outwaiting and outsmarting their opponent, rather than by throwing a tantrum or trying to hurry things, a skill that many adults lack. They have learned caution and respect around large animals, a situation more comprehensible to them than many of those given by parents. To them, "Be careful around his hooves because they're heavy and it would hurt to be kicked with them if he gets scared or angry." is much more tangible than "If you cross the street without looking both ways you'll get hit by a car." When they learn to be cautious and thoughtful in one situation, it begins to carry over to other parts of their lives as well.
An example I saw today was a friend and I in Phys Ed. We were both getting crowded and bugged by our teammates. He hit someone, and I just ignored it all. I didn't like it, but I ignored it. If the horses I ride have taught me anything, it's that annoyances tend to give up on trying to bug you if you don't react. My trainer once told me that the great riders have ice in their veins. They do. I make an effort to do so, and it gets results. Misbehaving horses and high schoolers alike get frustrated and soon give up when they don't get a reaction. Many times I have watched the figurative smoke pouring out of the ears of a friend trying and failing to draw me into a debate. But I digress. Conflict resolution- mature, reasonable, peaceful, and very successful conflict resolution- is a valuable skill that these kids have learned.
Tact is another. Working as a team with anyone, but especially a large and potentially dangerous teammate who does not speak the same language, teaches observation skills and tact. Tact leads to appropriate behavior in a multitude of settings as they are accustomed to responding to subtle environmental and social cues.