This is not a quotable post in this blog’s typical format because I have no idea who wrote this or created it. Despite those limitations, it still seemed important enough to share with you.
I regularly advise my students to “use the manners your Momma taught you.”
I’m amazed by how many people no longer use common manners like saying “please” and “thank you,” holding a door open for another person or taking their grocery cart when you’re headed into the store.
I’m that woman who stops to help and elderly person reach something on a shelf, a child who looks lost or just someone who generally is in need. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for paying it forward at a Starbucks, but I really don’t think buying others expensive coffee they don’t actually need is going to make a difference in the world.
The true difference is made in the way we treat one another every day, when no one is watching or counting. Treating one another with common courtesy makes the world a better place to live.
nathanambrose says
Too right, Kenna!
I’m with you. It’s so easy to be good mannered, yet many people make it look so difficult.
Sometimes I feel as if I’m the only one trying, so it’s good to read about people like you sometimes. Keep it up!
Nathan.
BruceSallan says
Manners are the grace of life. So, Professor – would you please get MY WIFE to read this. She says the occasional “Thank you” but far too few. My boys have been GREAT in this regard forever since we thank each other for ALL we do between us three boys. My wife says “thank you” by actions but the actual words are what YOU are talking about.
Even the occasional “sir” or “ma’am” when age appropriate is sweet. Opening doors for women I still do – though if a woman went to graduate school in Gender Studies I might get HIT and CURSED. Lol.
The irony is what has replaced manners? CURSING by nearly EVERYONE…perhaps there is no correlation but there’s no doubt that cursing in the public sphere is out of control.
profkrg says
BruceSallan I think we may be worse about using manners with those we’re closest to. I caught my kids barking orders at one another and blindly following them last night. I repeatedly said “Say thank you to your brother/sister.” It’s almost like they just didn’t consider it.
When I was in my 20s, I saw opening doors as some kind of slight against my feminism. Now that I’m in my late 20s (see what I did there?) I love it. It’s not that men think I’m not capable of opening a door, it’s just the polite thing to do.
I have a potty mouth, so I can’t say much about that.
In related news, I also think it’s good manners to push down the next paper towel if the restroom dispenser is not automatic. I did that earlier today for a student, who was quick to tell me thank you. She did it for the person behind her, even though there was no one left in the restroom. It was a perfect example of what I was writing about here.
Thanks for reading and commenting. I just knew this one would resonate with you.
Kenna
wireddoc says
MeghanMBiro profkrg Agree! And it unnerves me when I see ppl being condescending to those serving in restaurants, etc. Bad form.
profkrg says
wireddoc MeghanMBiro It certainly is rude! Thanks for your support.
Mitch_M says
Lisapatb I’m scared to retweet you because it invites spammers lol
Lisapatb says
Mitch_M lol, what’s up that Mitch?
Mitch_M says
Lisapatb Stupid bots always trying to jam us up lol
OnlineCrsLady says
profkrg I helped someone working on his Latin homework today; he left comments on an old blog post & we had a back-and-forth abt Caesar 🙂
profkrg says
OnlineCrsLady That’s fabulous! Thank you for helping him.
OnlineCrsLady says
profkrg I don’t teach Latin anymore but I love interactions like that… the best is helping people with tattoos! (get ’em right!)