Isn’t that just good manners?
Some days I think the world is a very strange place.
Ok, ok. Most days, I think the world is a very strange place.
And the world thinks I’m a very strange girl.
Oddly, I’m ok with that.
But I digress.
Yesterday, I went to my local Safeway to pick up a few items. As you know, I’m a total Trader Joe’s girl. Unfortunately, ol’ Joe doesn’t always have everything I need, so I have to supplement with Safeway (and I feel like I’m cheating).
Anyhow, I took my few purchases to the register, and as I stepped up to take my turn, the checkout guy said, “Hi! How are you doing?”
To which I replied, “I’m fine, thank you. How are you doing today?”
And he responded, “I’m good. Wow, thank you SO much for asking!”
Which brought me up short.
An exuberant “thank you for asking”?
Would imply that most people don’t even bother to ask?
Which really seems rather rude to me.
I mean, I’m no Miss Manners, but my parents did actually teach me my “please and thank you’s”.
I’m not saying we have to go back to old school overly mannered and behaved, but some simple courtesy is a nice thing. A good thing. A missing thing…what’s that old saying? Gone the way of the Dodo bird?
Sure, I may burp in unfortunate locations and situations, sometimes. And I might, though rarely, yell inappropriate things out the car window.
But damn it! I know how to say please and thank you, and I’m polite enough to inquire as to how a nice hardworking grocery store clerk’s day might be going.
I’m just like that.
Cuz I was raised that way.
Why again aren’t people raised that way anymore?
Comments
Natalie
Because their parents didn't teach them the importance of manners. Chaps me. People are stunned at how polite our boys are and tell us all the time how much they appreciate it. They aren't perfect but, by God, they are polite!!
Karen Fayeth
All of us who encounter your beautiful children day in and day out thank you mightily!!
Was at Target yesterday and this whiney child kept yelling at his mother, "c'mooon mooooom, let's GOOOOO." Over. And over. And over.
I've never wanted to smack a parent more than I did at that moment. I did, in fact, refrain.
Just barely.
So thanks for being the kind of parent who takes responsibility for bringing their kids up right!