A young woman at a restaurant paints her fingernails, a young man horks next to my baby stroller, and an old lady bumps me in the grocery store – all during my daily walk. I’m shocked and appalled at some people’s disrespect for others and for Mother Earth.
Either they’re unaware or uneducated. What a shame that they don’t know that “Manners maketh Man.” My dad always said, “Manners are a wise investment that pays dividends forever.” Thanks, Dad, for the lesson. Growing up, I learned to say please and thank you, give a proper handshake, and not interrupt.
Jerry Seinfeld said it beautifully:
“Interrupting. It’s a communication felony. If someone is talking – and I don’t care what they’re saying or how excited you are to say what you have to say – wait until he or she is finished – when you interrupt, you’ve stopped listening. People need to be heard.”
I now have the opportunity to instill manners in my son. I imagine him opening doors for people, offering his seat on the bus, and listening intently.
Good manners never go out of style.
Flickr photo credit: I wanna hold your hand, by Batega
I have those good-manner imaginations for my son too. I believe lack of manners speaks to our void of emotional intelligence as well as plain ole self-centeredness. It doesn’t matter if its root is in thoughtlessness or rudeness, the negativeness manifests … and sometimes breeds more of the same. So here’s to the perennial style of good manners!
Here Here, Emily Sarah!
Can’t recall who said this but in speaking of manners, one of the manner-mavens (Miss Manners? Emily Post? ??) explained that they are the grease that keeps our society moving smoothly. That is soooooo true for me – I try to “mind my manners” all the time and only wish others did too.
But now I know two who do: Emily-Sarah and Carrie: I’m in good company!
Hi J, so true, so true. On my life list is t give a class to high school students on the benefits of manners and respect. I’ll borrow this quote!