Instead of doing some things I have to do—with deadlines and everything—I’m spending some time thinking about manners.
See, I was brought up under the rule that you don’t correct other people’s manners. Not children’s, because you assume* that their parents will educate them. Not adults, because you assume* that they had manners drummed into their psyches while growing up, and that if they don’t use them is by choice, not lack.
But here’s the thing that got me thinking about this.
Imagine that you are visiting a friend, and so are a large bunch of other people. Some you know fairly well, some you have a nodding acquaintance with. Some you’ve just met recently and some are total strangers to you. They all have come to spend some time together at your friend’s living room.
Upon entering the house, each guest is told by your host that there will be all sorts of people there, with many different backgrounds and cultural mores, and to please remember to be considerate of each other’s feelings and respectful of each other’s opinions. (Note: you are not told not to disagree, only to be civil about it—and remember that disagreeing about ideas doesn’t equate with insulting the person one disagrees with)
Your friend is busy doing her own things, coming in and out of the room at what seem like random intervals while all of you people are having fun chatting around. And all is rainbows and kittens except…
