Please, Thank You, and the Lost Art of Manners

It is amazing to me that we, the collective "we" not to be confused with the "Wii", as a society have seemed to forgotten our manners!  From "please" or "thank you" to opening a door to offering a seat to another person, there is this feeling that people, in general, are not respectful of others and display a lack of  consideration of those around them.

Is it a failing of our society...and we are all to blame in some way or another??  I do feel as though todays parents are the most at fault I suppose. Good manners seems to have fallen by the wayside, a relic of the past.  And even when you raise your own children to be respectful, to be polite and appreciative of others, it is not reinforced by society.  Sometimes even our mannerly little ones turn into adults who seem to forget 'where they came from' and the lessons they learned as a child, and they can be rude like many of those around them.

What to do? What to do?

Look at ourselves first...that is step one for sure. Do you interrupt when others are speaking? Maybe you are texting at the dinner table and seem to be ignoring everyone or thing around you? Are you even eating AT A TABLE for meals? Do you kindly say "thank you" or " please"  or "excuse me" to others?  The buck starts/stops with ourselves...so if you aren't an example how do you expect others to reciprocate???  It is easier to reinforce the concept of manners and mutual respect with family because, well, they are family. You have some leeway and freedom with them that you wouldn't have with others,  just don't criticize, belittle or embarrass your loved ones when broaching the subject.   You are not Emily Post or Miss Manners, or any other expert on etiquette, so don't judge people. Be an example of kindness and respect to family, friends, coworkers, and yes, even THAT woman...you know...the dreaded MIL (code: mother in law).

One tip I taught my son and daughter, when they were old enough to go out with friends or on a date, was how to order in a restaurant. Mind you, I explained to them that you should always be polite, but not afraid to be yourself...especially for my daughter since many young girls these days don't want to eat in front of a guy.  Anyway, for my son, I told him to always be prepared to pay for everything.  Don't take a date to a place way out of your budget...you could be sorry.  For my daughter, I have always told her to first ask her date "what looks good to you?" when you sit down with the menu. That way she might be able to determine HIS budget, if he is paying, and he won't be embarrassed.  I mean, if you are at a pricey steak place, but he is going to have a burger, maybe he didn't anticipate the costly menu and is a bit 'financially' challenged.

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I wish the lack of manners was not so prevalent today. I find it sad that so many people behave so poorly toward others, and I would be bothered by the negative feelings I had about this state of affairs.  But I'll " keep on keepin' on " so to speak.  Attempting to be a good example of the old saying...

" Do unto others...as you would have them do unto you."

Toodle-oo!!