There is always a talk that we as a culture have forgotten our manners. The chivalrous days are long gone some say and I say… that’s bunk. I feel that people do nice, courteous things its just that we’ve forgotton our manners on how to say “thank you”. Its a slippery slope what I am about to enter with this article because I do not want to give the impression that I’m an ungrateful pig. Maybe I am. That’s why I need your help.
Is it wrong to get mad when you’re in traffic, waiting patiently for the light to turn green and you see someone trying to ease into the lane you’re in? Common courtesy is to go ahead and allow that person in. I have absolutely no problem with that. (There is an unwritten rule, though, that says you’re only allowed to let one car while waiting.) What urks me is when you let said car into the lane and that person doesn’t acknowledge the supreme sacrifice you just made with just A SIMPLE HAND WAVE. That’s all! This procedure lets us know that we live in a world where we can nice to each other and not worry about what lies ahead as a culture. Why is this so hard for people to comprehend? Now, the next time the opportunity arrives you second guess yourself if you should offer such a deed. And THAT is where we are as humans. Its not that we don’t want to help its just the notion that we will not get recognized for such a simple gesture.
Ok, this is the point of the story where you are thinking “You shouldn’t do something nice to expect a ‘thank you’ and if you’re doing for that, you’ve missed the point, Mitch.” Alright, that’s fair to think but as earlier stated, its human nature. Right?
Here’s another example that actually makes me sad more than it makes me mad. The other day I had taken my wife out to eat. This place was crowded to the point that “standing room only” is clearly a fire hazard. We were lucky enough to get seats in the waiting area and we sat down. My wife got up and left to powder her nose or whatever women do and told me to stay where I’m and we’d find other seats when she came back. At this point I looked up and noticed an elderly couple walk in. Being the awesome person that I am (humble too) I offered up my seat and the recently vacant seat next to me for the couple. They clearly heard me tell them that they could have my place and they took it. All I wanted was a moment in time to know that I just added joy to an elderly person’s life. I wanted to give them hope that the world isn’t such a cynical place and that love is all around us. I didn’t get one. Nadda, nothing. I think the woman, who could completely speak and understand English even looked at me weird.
Crushed.
At this point in my moral devistation, I accept that I have become the old guy that complains about the youth and how they have lost their civic dignity. Only its opposite. I’m complaining that the greatest generation before me doesn’t even do it. I would imagine that we’re not the ones reciprocating the love by acknowledging a kind gesture. From opening a door for someone to picking up something that a person dropped then running after them to give it back. We have to remember that kind deeds HAVE to go both ways.
I want to take the time now to thank you for reading this article.
What bothers you when it comes to the lack of common courtesies? Do you expect a “thank you?” Are you doing the deed for the wrong reason if you’re expecting you?
I’m sure anyone reading this has had to deal with a cop at one point in their life. I’m talking about being pulled over, hearing “the speech” from him and accepting the $300 ticket for going over the speed limit. I’m also sure you didn’t like doing it and there was some sort of justification for doing what you did. But is there any of you that think, “c’mon, really? 66 in a 55?”
The TV I got back in the dawning of HD has made its way to TV Heaven, the same place that the shows like Arrested Development, Seinfeld and The Misfits of Science have gone on to live. It was a great TV, we shared some good times with it, had some laughs but perhaps we got a little too close to the Sun. I have no idea what that means either, but I do know that losing the “big” TV in the house, I have found myself actually enjoying things more than usual.
“Leave it at the door.” I have learn to live with that adage. However, its probably not the way you think. Instead of leaving your troubles problems and in certain situations -weapons, I live by the rule of leaving work at the work door. That way, I don’t have to bring it home to my front door. I hear stories all the time about how a person “has” to do something at/from home and granted there are always those situations where it warrants. But if you’re really wanting to be happy in life, you leave your work at the door… when you’re walking out.
