Sunday, February 8, 2015

Time For A Rant About Bad Manners

Floored by Bad Manners

Over the past couple of days, I've been made to feel bad about myself because of other people’s bad manners. This morning, I picked my son up from a sleepover. When I thanked the father for having him over he replied,"It wasn't an issue." Immediately I felt bad, because I’d had the effrontery to thank him. Why couldn't he have just said, “You're welcome?" I should have shot back, “Well I hope it wasn't an issue!” But he wouldn't have got it; not to mention, that would have been rude of me, and I'm here today lecturing about rudeness.

Yesterday, I dropped my daughter off at her friends house; it was her first time visiting there. I went to the door with her so I could greet her friend’s parent. But her mom was on the phone and stayed where she was, down the hall from me. At least she told me she was on the phone with her mom. Okay - but she still could have walked over to where I was standing in her doorway. Then when I went back to pick up my daughter, I was again left standing in the doorway with her mother in full view, lying on the couch watching TV. If it had been me, I would have muted the TV, stood up, walked over and actually had a little conversation with the other parent to make her feel welcome. But she didn’t, and so I felt bad. Obviously she didn't think highly enough of me to pause the damn TV.

Am I being too sensitive? No I am not! This generation is losing sight of the purpose of good manners. Good manners means getting your mind off yourself and thinking of the other person, making them feel good about themselves, welcoming them, showing them you care and are grateful. It's not about you. It's not about being embarrassed that the other person is thanking you, or feeling you don't deserve the complement, or what ever other baggage you might be carrying around. Good manners is about being gracious. So if someone says thank you to you; it’s very simple, say, ”You're welcome." And you know what? You'll feel good too!