Forgotten Courtesy, Etiquette and Manners

I’m ashamed of mankind. Courtesy, etiquette and manners are vastly disappearing. Respect of others personal space is a thing of the past. No matter where you are, city or suburb, metropolis or town I have experienced this issue. Why have people forgotten to extend courtesy to others they themselves expect? I deliberately exclude the word common since it no longer is.

Are we so disconnected with electronics and online presence that these concepts and practices are disappearing? Absolutely not. This phenomenon has been occurring since before the age of the internet. I greatly appreciate those who treat me with graciousness. No-one should be hit by a bag or pushed while walking or completely disregarded as if they were not there.

Here’s undeniable proof there are people who know what these concepts are and others who are asking the question, which although sad, it’s encouraging.

Answered: What is the meaning of "common courtesy"?

A courtesy is a favour you do for someone else. Common courtesy refers to the favours we do for everyone, regardless of whether we know them or not. Common courtesy could be holding a door open for someone, throwing your garbage in bins instead of littering, or listening to someone speak without interrupting them. Things of that nature.

Sometimes common courtesy is synonymous with etiquette or manners. In that case, you might say it’s common courtesy to serve dinner guests food and beverage before serving yourself, for instance. https://www.quora.com/What-is-common-courtesy

So let’s go out into the world and display our intelligence and practice these concepts. Here are a few of my favorite tips that 5 year olds know. So let’s get a refresher course:

Look up from your phone as you walk. It may save you from bumps, bruises and death.

When you get on a train, elevator, bus, let the people off first before shoving your way in. You'll get to where you want to go faster.

If you are carrying a large bag, please make sure you aren’t hitting someone else with it while you travel. It hurts them more than it hurts you.

When standing in a line of any sort, you don’t need to be on top of the person in front of you. They know you are next and so does everyone else. Edging closer to them won’t get you done faster.

Say excuse me if you’d like to pass someone. Don’t just use your body to make them move out of your way. In this day and age perhaps this can be classified as sexual harassment since you didn’t ask a stranger to touch your body with theirs.

Look before reaching for something or pointing at something. Nobody wants to lose an eye in the process. The pirate look isn’t in fashion.

Apologize if you do hit, kick, stomp or push someone by accident. A quick meaningful apology goes a long way to prevent rage. They may have a gun permit or mental health issues…

When serving guests at a table please don’t lean too close to the guests while you set things down on the table. They don’t want to smell your armpit or get hit in the head. Changes the ambiance of any environment! If you must a ‘pardon me” would be called for to give them a heads up. Pun intended.

For additional reading click the link below or ANY google search on these words will get you educated.

No College Loans required! I promise.

http://www.a-to-z-of-manners-and-etiquette.com/manners.html

I don’t need to quote scholars or get into an in depth psychological evaluation of this topic. As you go about your day, just always remember to ask yourself:

Is this how I’d like to be treated?