I have been thinking about this topic for a while now and I think I am finally ready to post about it. This idea came to me after 2 different situations that I felt were wildly inappropriate. One came from my work place. Now I am a server and servers in general tend to be extremely outgoing and within the workplace we tend to feel as though we are all friends. However, I have noticed that a few people that I work with tend to cross the line of friendly to downright nosy I was raised with the idea that certain things should not be discussed between acquaintances such as income or a person's weight. Now I will be the first to admit that I have spoken on occasion with certain friends about these things, but a) I was talking about myself and b) They were people I consider good friends. I am also a person who likes to give my 2 cents worth. I try to be mindful of if, when and how I do so, and I like to think that I am pretty open minded about people who like to share their opinion. I am NOT however OK with someone ramming their opinions down my throat and treating me as if I am a child for not agreeing with their opinion. And just as you have the right to share your thoughts, I have the choice to walk away and not listen. Especially when that opinion is shared in a inconsiderate manner. As a mother I am used to getting a lot of unsolicited advice and I listen and choose what I do or don't follow, but I also know that for the most part, that advice is given out of care and knowledge of experience. But frankly, if you are not a mother or even a woman in that matter, you should probably just keep your mouth shut.
Another situation I have found myself in is during my weekly bowling league. I bowl with a group of ladies who are very fun and amusing. However, it never ceases to amaze me at just how much these women seem like my peers and not women who are 20, 30, 40, or even 50 years my senior! I am the youngest person bowling and I like to think that these women have a lot of knowledge and experience to offer me. After all these women grew up during a much more respectful time, before technology screwed up how we socialize. But where I hoped to find class and respect, I found a group of grade-school girls who gossip and offer snide comments to each other. A person can't even give an announcement without having to ask for their attention multiple times!
Manners are gone people! I recently read a quote that said, "Chivalry isn't dead, it's just wherever lady like went." or something like that. I couldn't agree more! Gone are the days where people say please and thank you, keep their comments to the weather rather than be inappropriate, and girls night doesn't consist of competing for each others attention between phone calls and text messages! Put your phones away people! I often get yelled at for having my phone on silent, but really, I hate being accessible 24/7. If it is important leave a message and I will call you back, or if it is a serious emergency, you know where I live. I have two children who need my attention more than you do.
I am sure this post has left me in a dark light, but I assure you this is an accumulation of months of frustrations with the human race :)
What are some manners you wish people still had?
