Common Courtesy, Politeness, Where Has it Gone?



Posted: Tuesday, December 29, 2009

by Jo Walker

I just watched a segment on the news about people not being polite or courteous any more. 
; Their examples were, the man who threw the shoe at Bush, Kanye, when he interrupted the award winner to tout Beyonce'... rudeness, vulgarity, hatefulness.  They spoke of a movement, some website you go to and sign a contract where you agree to be more courteous as you go about your activities... Hog wash! 
 
Why on earth would you need to go sign a contract agreeing to be nice?  What is so wrong with us today that we cannot find it within ourselves to treat our fellow man/woman with dignity and grace and courtesy?
 
We are not a stupid people.  We are intelligent beings, living in the greatest country in the world.  Instead of being so rushed and rude to those we meet as we move along this pathway of life, how about just stopping for a minute and taking a breath.  Smile at the person you meet on the street.  A nice greeting of "Hello, how are you today?"
 
You never know how your action to someone will affect their day.  Your smile and nice words may be the catalyst that turns them from a degrading, damaging thought that they might be having at that moment.  You don't need to go to a website and sign a contract, just look inside yourself and remember how good it felt when you did something nice for someone?  You get that same good feeling when you smile and wish someone well, and they return the statement. 
 
Dignity and courtesy starts with one simple smile and it grows from there.  God Bless!

Jo Walker is a mother of five wonderful children ages ranging from 18 to 31.  She has two wonderful grandchildren, and a wonderful man in her life.  Her first article, "What's  Mother To Do?" is but a small  portion of what she has dealt with in her lifetime as a parent.  She has other stories that she has  written as well as poetry. 

Writing is a theraputic for her, as she is not one who readily talks about the things that go on inside.  She hopes that her writing, in some way will move someone or help someone.  God Bless

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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)
» left by Marijo Phelps
 2 years 141 days ago.
143 fans.
thanks for this challenge - we could both probably write a number of pieces on what the underlying cause of this loss is, couldn't we? MARANATHA! Marijo
» left by Joyce Dunn
 2 years 140 days ago.
33 fans.
Excellent article, Jo. Even the simple 'please' and 'thank you' is mostly missing. And, in my opinion, all this is reflected in the sad lack of 'customer service' in way too many of our businesses.
» left by Mel Otero from Sugar Land, TX 2 years 140 days ago.
Great article. When it comes to lack of manners, I think we can look at the parenting. I raised 3 children and 1 grandchild as a single mom - they all knew 'please' and 'thank you' by the age of two and they are still well mannered adults. Unfortunately, lack of manners and lack of respect has become accepted in our society. No wonder there's no 'customer service' - bad mannered children become the adults unleashed on us.
» left by Linda DeWitt
 2 years 140 days ago.
67 fans. Follow Linda DeWitt on twitter!
Really enjoyable article. I think consideration and respect for others has almost disappeared. Thanks for sharing.
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