Manners Matter – Fuzzy Wuzzy Wednesday
Regardless of your political views, have you noticed that manners have taken a back seat in many situations these days? I don’t care which (if any) side of the aisle you sit on, manners matter.
Why do manners matter? Because without manners we may as well just plow right through our lives without consideration for anything or anybody. Chaos can then reign. Is that what we want?
As Peggy Post, director of The Emily Post Institute, puts it; “It’s not a list of dos and don’ts designed to trip us up. It’s a GPS that talks us through unfamiliar new territory.”
So, when someone says something derogatory, or butts in line, or cuts you off, or does any of those things none of us feel shows good manners, what do we do? Do we write it off as a “sign of the times” or do we pause and examine our own good manners?
I’m a firm believer in not lowering yourself to an inappropriate, “mannerless” level. Consideration for others’ place and opinions, common courtesy, and respect for all, are the basic manners everyone should learn as a child. When we jump in the mud and wallow around with the “mannerless”, we are not rising our society up – we are tearing it down.
Please take a minute today to remember the Golden Rule. Offer up your seat to someone who needs it more than you do. Give someone the benefit of the doubt when they seem rude to you and offer them a smile. Say “thank you” and “you’re welcome” and “please” and “oh, you’re too kind” today sometime and see how it makes YOU feel, as well as the person you are polite to.
Manners, politeness, and kindness are what society relies on to grow and mature. Anything less than that takes us all backwards. I don’t want to wallow around in a rude society, and I guess manners start with me.
Thank you for reading. You are too kind!
Tags: kindness, manners, society, thank you
April 21st, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Fabulous post! I do so appreciate the reminder that a mannerly society and community begins with me and how I handle the various trials and tribulations, as well as the blessings, of my daily life. Thank you.
April 22nd, 2010 at 2:41 am
This is a lovely post. Unfortunately what you say is very true. As mum’s we need to be extra vigilant wiht our children both in how we deal with them and how we ‘correct’ their interactions with each other…. and my how much the bad manners stick, expecially the ones that go uncorrected or ignored at school!
Have a lovely day!
April 23rd, 2010 at 6:05 pm
It always surprises me that people respond with a kind of surprised delight when my 5 yr old son, thanks them for a sticker (at the grocery store) or says “excuse me” to someone in his way, says please and thank you almost all the time and without prompting! I’m constantly surprised that they are surprised! It’s expected out of him at home and especially when we are out in public. It’s sad that it’s become such a novelty for a child to be polite and respectful!
I just found your website today and I have enjoyed the menu/grocery ideas! Thank you for sharing! We always take a 2 week family vacation every year and try to cook as much as possible instead of eating out for every meal in a vacation destination. With 6 adults and 3 children it gets expensive either way b/c most of us fly in and there are no “staples” to rely on. It is still cheaper to cook than to eat out 42 times! But, your emergency menu might be a good resource to help with the grocery bill! Thank you again, I look forward to following your blog.
April 25th, 2010 at 8:48 am
So, Susanne, you’ve noticed too, eh?
What’s happened to good old fashioned manners? Aside from the obvious occasions when decorum should be followed, and is even legally mandated (like a formal speech in the halls of congress, for instance), aren’t we supposed to be following the Golden Rule?
I wonder what young people think when they see their “elders” acting like uncouth idiots? Oh, wait… I think I know what happens. That’s where our next generation of uncouth idiots will come from. Too bad. You know the old saying – “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” It really is a shame. Thanks for reminding us that manners really do matter.
April 25th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Thank You Susanne! I work full-time and have a part-time job in retail to help make ends meet. Some customers have been very rude at times and I really wish I could replay their behavior to them somehow. When someone is treated rudely it is observed by others, and it makes a lasting impression and opinion. Please, thank-you, waiting your turn, and being friendly (to mention a few) go a very long way. Manners do matter and should be practiced in every situation every day.
April 25th, 2010 at 11:30 am
I am still trying to teach my kids simple things like keeping their elbows off the table, placing a napkin in their lap and not reaching across others plates!
May 5th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I’m a substitute teacher and see very few children with manners. Our school district tries to teach basic manners and courtesy, but we can’t make it stick if it’s not reinforced at home. One thing I have found that helps is praising the children with good manners loud enough for the rest of the class to hear. It seems to start a chain reaction because children like to be praised by adults. My own children learned manners early and have kept up the practice now that they are teens. It warms my heart when their teachers comment on how well-behaved and polite they are.