I am starting with a question… Nothing unusual about that! How difficult is it to say “please” and “thank you.” What happened to manners? Did this tradition just fly out the door and been slammed in your face.
Back then…
When I was growing up, my parents taught me manners. My grandparents reinforced the “rules.” It doesn’t take much to be polite, or does it? It does seem so, from a distance these days.
Changed.
The world has changed dramatically, since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.
The upcoming generations will complain about the old people. The old people will complain about the young people. The merry-go-round goes around and around. For me, no one talks much to each other. All I see from a distance, is complaining! We all still live in the same world.
Respect.
OMG. I just had this thought. I have those from time-to-time! It was way up there, with manners. It is: “Respect your Elders.” You called the people you met as; Mr and Mrs so and so. No use of first names, unless you were told you could. I think this is best left here. I can only imagine what would be or is being said, right now!
Upbringing.
My maternal grandfather was from a Scottish background. I know when I was young, I always felt he was a mean nasty person. Now, when I reflect back to his time to when he was younger growing up. Both his parents came from Scottish stock – father from Perthshire and mother from Banffshire. Two different types of upbringing.
Fear.
What did my grandfather teach me besides fear? In one word, it was manners. Be polite even though he wasn’t. I always felt he was rude and arrogant. Now, that sounds like me as I am growing older! What can I say? I had a good teacher. However, on reflection I still have respect for my Elders even if there aren’t many left now…
People.
I know I am critical of youngsters, at times. One day, they will realise, as I have – older people do really care about this world. Some more than others. Not every older person is mean and nasty. People of all ages need to understand that lives are all much the same. We all breathe the same air, even though it is polluted from technological advancements. People all still struggle, unless you belong to the 1% who don’t…
Sharing.
Sharing of nearly everything still happens across all generations. Knowledge is passed down and sometimes up, as it is a two-way street. Manners plays its part everywhere in various ways. There are a lot of things missing – but that’s my viewpoint which I know will be different to those who are reading this and some will be mumbling that I have no idea.
Question: Are you writing your story?
Different.
I tell what and how I feel. What I see and all my observations of life as I see it.
As I have said, your version will be different and that’s okay…
Learn.
My parents did their best with what they knew about and that would be important for me to know as I grew into my independent life. Some things I took on board easily! Others, well I had to learn. I use “please” and “thank you” often. I don’t snatch things from others, as some I have observed.
I am still learning because once I stop learning, I will have passed from this world.
Path.
We all continue along our path with a different version. Some short, some long but we still learn as we go. Nothing is instant gratification. Many think it is and expect it. What is forgotten: all our experiences are what we are required to learn in this lifetime – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly…
Go back in time. Take on board what you were taught about respect and manners. Has it changed your life? Only you can answer that. Make it up and you will be on repeat, repeat and repeat…
Explore and Discover. This is “Manners 101.”
Acknowledgements:
All artwork attached was generated by Canva Ai using the text provided.
So, where are your manners, please? We’d all like to know… Thank you!
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