Whatever happened to common courtesy?
I am amazed at the lack of common courtesy today, and wonder what happened to it? Simple things like “please” and “thank you” seem to have drifted from the English language for some people. Maybe it is the way my mother raised me, yet I have found those simple words can often turn things into a more pleasant experience. A better seat at a restaurant, or a glass of wine that is filled just a bit more. My motivation is not what it is going to get me; rather it makes me feels good about me.
Simple courtesies can bring a bit of joy to others as well. Try smiling more and genuinely care when you say, “How are you today?” In fact a neat response to try with this question is almost anything different than “Fine, how about you?” Try “outstanding” or fabulous”; then follow it up with a reason that you feel that way. For those who ride, you will appreciate this one. Peggy and I ride somewhere for coffee most Sunday mornings, and it is pretty cool how the Harleys in the parking lot and the riding clothes take that typical conversation in a different direction. After the traditional “How are you?” greeting, we might say, “It is a beautiful day, and we are out riding to enjoy it.” Then the response to us is something like, “Hey, where you guys riding to today?” One morning at a local Starbucks, the response was, “Man, I love you Harley riders! You are so proud of what you do, and that is so cool.”
Every day is what you make of it. You are in control of so many things that influence the way the day turns out. Try reaching out with that greeting first to someone who might not even make eye contact. I was listening this morning to a talk radio show. The hosts were talking about today being the eighth anniversary of 9/11, and how the entire country was so much more patient and courteous with each other after that horrible day. We were shocked, vulnerable, disheartened; and we started treating our fellow human beings just a bit better.
Let’s not depend on tragedy to make us more human. Take the time to extend yourself today. Shower your fellow human beings with common courtesy and pleasantness. I promise you that you will be smiling more by the end of the day. Life is too short………’Screw it, let’s ride.”