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On the lost art of good manners.
One of the reasons I love period novels set in the 1600s-1800s is that people are so very polite. Being so means something. I love the good manners, kind ways of speaking, the significance of a letter, and that someone can express sheer joy to be in the presence of their friends without listeners thinking how pathetic or sappy that sounds.
Thus, I always try to be polite when I leave my apartment. I say "Morning!" or "Hello!" to 99% of the people I pass when I'm jogging or walking. I smile and nod if I happen to catch the eye of a fellow shopper in the grocery store. I raise a hand in thanks when a car pauses to let me pass. I smile and thank my cashiers, waiters/waitresses, employees who help me find something their store. I acknowledge everyone who comes within my personal sphere. I know what it's like to be ignored by everyone, and I know what it's like to be a McWage slave and have people think you're nothing for running a cash register, so I try my best to be polite and friendly to them all.
When they are jogging and come up fast upon a slower person and just shoot by without warning, completely shocking that person who had no idea they were there, on a narrow sidewalk with heavy car traffic zooming close by--and when it's not just one college-aged guy but THREE--and they pass the slower person on both sides at the same time--THAT IS INCREDIBLY RUDE AND DANGEROUS!!!! All it takes is one word--one short little word--to warn the slower person that they're about to pass. "Oncoming!" If they really wanted to go the full mile, they could have splurged with five words, "Passing on the right and left!"
But no. The trio of joggers just shot by me, making me gasp and stagger as they suddenly appeared and continued blithely on their way without so much as a word or an absent-minded "'scuse us." I cupped my hands around my mouth and pointedly shouted, "GOOD MORNING!" after them. About five steps later, the guy on the far left turned his head to glance at me. I met his eyes and stared.
Yes, you rude excuse for a person, I DID just shout a greeting at you to make a point. Maybe next time you and your two buddies are jogging and closing in on a slower person, you'll warn them first! Just one short little word to let them know you were coming! Even "Hey!" would have been enough for me. *snarls*
Thus, I always try to be polite when I leave my apartment. I say "Morning!" or "Hello!" to 99% of the people I pass when I'm jogging or walking. I smile and nod if I happen to catch the eye of a fellow shopper in the grocery store. I raise a hand in thanks when a car pauses to let me pass. I smile and thank my cashiers, waiters/waitresses, employees who help me find something their store. I acknowledge everyone who comes within my personal sphere. I know what it's like to be ignored by everyone, and I know what it's like to be a McWage slave and have people think you're nothing for running a cash register, so I try my best to be polite and friendly to them all.
Sometimes they miss my words, such as a fast oncoming jogger with music headphones jammed in their ears. Sometimes they react with surprise and manage a "hi" in return. Sometimes they beat me to the greeting--which almost always tends to be older women. And sometimes I'm flat-out ignored, which always seems to be teenagers and college-aged guys. I understand that last bit. I mean, your average college-aged guy isn't going to register the existence of any strange woman unless she's sex on legs. And in my sweats and hoodie, I hardly qualify for that. It's cool, I get it. BUT!!!!!
When they are jogging and come up fast upon a slower person and just shoot by without warning, completely shocking that person who had no idea they were there, on a narrow sidewalk with heavy car traffic zooming close by--and when it's not just one college-aged guy but THREE--and they pass the slower person on both sides at the same time--THAT IS INCREDIBLY RUDE AND DANGEROUS!!!! All it takes is one word--one short little word--to warn the slower person that they're about to pass. "Oncoming!" If they really wanted to go the full mile, they could have splurged with five words, "Passing on the right and left!"
But no. The trio of joggers just shot by me, making me gasp and stagger as they suddenly appeared and continued blithely on their way without so much as a word or an absent-minded "'scuse us." I cupped my hands around my mouth and pointedly shouted, "GOOD MORNING!" after them. About five steps later, the guy on the far left turned his head to glance at me. I met his eyes and stared.
Yes, you rude excuse for a person, I DID just shout a greeting at you to make a point. Maybe next time you and your two buddies are jogging and closing in on a slower person, you'll warn them first! Just one short little word to let them know you were coming! Even "Hey!" would have been enough for me. *snarls*
Grrrrrr. I'm still going to be polite to people. I'm still going to smile and say hi to every jogger I pass. I don't care if this is one of the few Southern mannerisms I've brought with me. I appreciate it when people are polite to me, and I am still going to pass that on.
Even if I always have to be the one to initiate it. *snarls again*