It is so painful to have to be the standard-bearer for the world! I, too, am SO guilty of self-righteousness. I was writing self-help poems when I was 7, so I lived my entire life very comfortable in my righteousness, and very eager to "compassionately condemn" people who didn't live up to my values.
That's why Buddhism has helped tremendously--that story you wrote, L2L, about the woman in the airport is the perfect example of faulty perceptions, and how we get so misdirected by them!! May as well let them go.
Byron Katie has also helped turn around any self-righteousness with her 4 questions. Life is a lot more pleasant when you're not keeping score.