grateful for manners

All I ask is for a simple “please” and “thank you”.  That is all I ask.

Okay, that isn’t true.  I ask for a lot more than that.  I ask for turn signals and “pardon me” and eye contact and door-holding (from any gender, for any gender) and all of the tiny ways in which we communicate to each other that we know our own priorities are not the only priorities in the world, that we know our lives are very small and our concerns for the most part petty, that getting anywhere on time is not worth anyone else’s life, and that a genuine smile makes someone else’s day suck a little less.

Thank you to those of you who make the effort.  I notice, and I am so grateful to you.

(This entry is part of one month of gratitude.)

About Halsted M. Bernard

Halsted, a/k/a cygnoir, does stuff with words. Her favourite things to do with words are keeping this diary, writing stories, and organising information. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband, two cats, a few gadgets, several fountain pens, and many books.

Posted on 30 Jul 2008 in Diary
  • David

    When I was a child I believed that manners were for sissies. And I expressed that to my grandmother, who did her best to teach me manners, every chance I got.

    But as I’ve gotten older I’ve found that grandmother’s way was the correct way. Even though I try not to do so, I find myself becoming less and less tolerant of those who do not practice good manners, especially in public. I even address the kids behind the counter at McDonalds as “sir” or “ma’am”.

  • http://www.1plus1equals3.net Lara

    I try hard every day to be a good parent and good example for Savannah. I know I don’t do everything right, but I’m trying my best.

    Savannah often receives comments from strangers about her good manners, she says please, thank you and pardon me just about every time it is appropriate, and has done so since she was only five years old or so. People remarking about her good manners never fails to fill me with happy pride.

    But I still continue to marvel at the ignorance and ambivalence of others as they plow their way though the world they mistakenly believe exists only for them and that courtesy to others in thought and deed is optional if not completely absent.

  • http://www.seeginablog.com Gina

    I feel the same. I am always more impressed by people if they have good manners.

    Something that I consider good manners is showing respect for service staff (wait staff, bartenders, doorman, et cetera). I lose respect for people who are rude to service staff or behave as if the service staff are slaves or otherwise of lesser value.