Common Courtesy Isn't

Well, I said this would be a multiple topic area, and it is. Today's topic on which I choose to rant is manners. Can someone tell me where they went? What has happened to our society where the manners we, the baby boomers, learned from our parents go flying out the window? Furthermore, who is to blame? I know who is not responsible....me.

I raised my daughter to use words like please, thank you, sir and ma'am. And she is raising her children to do the same. So where sis it go wrong? My guess is somewhere along the lines one of the baby boomers decided they did not like using manners; that they were far too important than that. Far more important than anyone else. And then, these mindless wonders, passed this on to their children. Probably something like, “You don't have to say please to the waitress. She is doing her job; it is expected that she is to refill your glass.” Then, these same innocent eyes watch as the same parent leaves a tip that is nothing more than the pennies from their pockets, if they leave one at all.

Now waitresses and waiters are not the only ones being “talked down to”. This was just an example; but you get my point. These children will grow believing, incorrectly, that they superior to others and therefore do not have to say things like please or thank you. Sadly this will carry on into other aspects of their lives. They will grow to be the ones who bump into you at the store and look at you with eyes full of hate like it was your fault. Or they will go in the out door, drive the wrong way in the parking lot (and in both of those instances expect YOU to get out of their way), or simply let a door slam in your face.

I know you have seen them. They let the door fall on the mother of two who is carrying one of them. They walk around with their Bluetooth in their ear yapping away on the phone while expecting a salesperson to help them. Seriously? You can't get off of your call long enough to tell them what size or color you are looking for then have the nerve to get angry with them for not...what?...reading your mind. These are the same people who text while driving, cut you off, then flip you off because they almost hit you. They sit at the table where they supposed to having dinner out with the family only to ignore said family while they talk on the phone. Folks this also teaches your children. It teaches them that this is just fine and the way things are. Now this will make sure they grow up to ignore their children as well. Then these people wonder why they never hear from their kids, why their child's marriage failed, why the son is on jail for non payment of child support or domestic violence, etc. Yet, when these people ask that stupid question, “Who's fault is this?”, they get mad when we, those who remember our manners, tell them, “It's your fault”.

Since it is obvious that common courtesy isn't anymore I wish to offer you a few helpful hints. These are simple things and you can choose to do it or not. But if you come to my house you had better choose to.

Men = PULL YOUR DAMN PANTS UP!!! No one wants to see your underwear and this is NOT a good look. I don't know who started this trend but he should be flogged. You look like a 9 year old who does not know how to dress himself. ~ Take you hat off at the table. I don't mean the poker table but when you are eating it is very bad manners to wear a hat. ~ Don't interrupt. If I, or someone else is talking, wait your turn. ~ Hold the door open, and not just for a lady but for anyone. If you are opening the door and see someone walking up behind you, hold it for them. ~ Say please and thank you. ~ Do not talk back to your parents or grand parents. ~ Yes and no, not yeah and naw. ~ Loud profanity is not cool, it is loud profanity, and my grand children do not need to hear it. There is a lot more but you get the idea, I hope. I will leave you with this gentlemen, if you come into my home and act like an ass, insist on showing me yours or are rude to my family I will ask you to leave...with the point of my boot.

Ladies = See that word, ladies? Act like it starting with please and thank you. ~ While both sexes are guilty I see more women do this than men so I put it here...HANG UP AND DRIVE!!! ~ Stop putting on your makeup while driving your car. If you don't have time before you leave the house then do it at work or get up 10 minutes earlier. ~ From there it repeats the men. Women can hold open a door. Don't interrupt. Loud profanity is just that, etc. I think we all see a pattern here.

I am by no means the best person in the world, but the things I listed here I do. I don;t even wear a hat in the house, let alone at the table. Even when dealing with the guys who work “for” me I say please and thanks you when assigning a task. It is not that hard and it is the polite thing to do. Folks, your children watch you. They will grow up to act like you. So ask yourself, do I want my child to grow up just like me? If the answer is no then you need to make corrections in yourself. If the answer is yes then you may just remember what manners are. If the answer is yes but you are a complete Jackwagon, well then you have issues too large to be handled here. You might want to think about seeking professional help. Time to wake up America and start treating each other politely and with respect. It is not that hard.

That is all....for now.