What has happened to good manners?
What has happened to holding the door for a stranger or even a friend? Worse still, why do we flip someone the bird when they are not driving to our perfection?
What has happened to being polite, courteous and considering the feelings of others with whom we share this community and world? Good manners signal respect.
My mother would often remind me: "Mind your manners."
My sister, with her six daughters, demanded it! I could take them anywhere at any time and never be embarrassed.
We were taught from the very beginning how important it was to treat people with simple courtesies.
Fast forward to today's world. How often have you paid good money to catch a movie or a performance only to listen to folks chattering behind you no matter how often you turn to give them THE look?
How about simple gestures like giving up a seat on the bus for someone who just may need it more than you do?
And then there are the many cell phone issues. My pal, Laura, is a server in town who is quite annoyed when folks show up at the restaurant with a cell phone glued to their ear and don't stop talking while they are being seated. Laura is quick to point out that it is very difficult to try getting an order when the guest won't put the phone down. She says that "cell phones destroy the social event of dining out."
I remember one day having lunch with a visiting friend. It was difficult to carry on a pleasant conversation when each new topic prompted a Google search on the smart phone to find some obscure fact to inject into the conversation.
I do not recall bringing an encyclopedia to social get-togethers when I was younger. Folks, we need to make conversations great again by re-discovering manners.
Pet lovers, I love you all, but come on!
Is it really appropriate to let your dog pee right at a store entrance? And, for heavens sake, how can you be a good citizen and not have a poopie bag in your pocket for accidents?
And then we have the smokers. If you need to light up, there is a place set aside so that others are not disturbed. We even had to create a law restricting smoking at building entrances since simple consideration of others was not working. Throwing your cigarette butts on the ground is also downright rude!
Drivers? Now there are some who can get downright dangerous. The term "road rage" started to make its appearance about 30 years ago. It can be precipitated by poor drivers as well as inconsiderate drivers: racing through a stop sign; cutting someone off; tailgating; driving two abreast preventing others from passing. There are too many to mention.
The fact that we now live in a society where anything goes is not okay in my book. Good manners and common courtesies are important feature in providing a civil social setting for us all.
Just think back to what your mom would say. It only takes a split second to think about the other person first. I do not find it an inconvenience to say "please" and "thank you," nor do I mind saying "excuse me" when I step in front of someone.
Perfect I am not, but respectful I am.
It only takes a moment.
