 |
| (Google Image) |
By
Diane Forrest
Years ago I remember when men would open the doors for
women, would help them out of the car, would lay down their coat in a puddle so
she wouldn't get her feet wet. Ok...well
that last one I saw in a movie, I have never really seen it. As the years pass, I never see that
anymore. I occasionally see it at
church, with the older members, but not that often. I was very fortunate when I married my
husband. He was always courteous, and
would open car doors for me. It took me
a while to get used to this, but I have to admit it was really nice being
treated like a lady.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Some men, like my father, think that because women want
to be treated equally, and are liberated, that they lost the right to be
treated with common courtesy. To his
defense, there are some women who don't appreciate having a door open for them,
for what reason I cannot imagine. Here
in the south, where I was born and reared, a Southern mother always teaches her
son to be courteous to the elderly and to women.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Today is National Common Courtesy Day. This should not just be today, but every
day. It is not hard to show courtesy to
someone, and it doesn't cost a dime. Not
only will it make you feel good, but others will respect you for your
actions. Here are some examples of ways
you can be courteous:
- Hold open doors, car doors, office doors, elevator
doors. Especially if someone has their
hands full.
- Offer to push the elevator button for someone with full
hands, or even offer to help carry their load.
- Smile, say hello to people you pass. Make sure you look them in the eye.
- Don't interrupt someone who is speaking.
- Turn your cell phone off if you are in a public place
such as a meeting, church, movie or restaurant.
- Refrain from texting if in someone's company.
- Clean up your own messes.
- If you are sharing a meal with someone, remain seated
until everyone is finished eating. I
know a girl who will sit at the dinner table, gobble up her food in case
someone wants to take it from her, and then jump up from the table. Thank your host, asked to be excused and
offer to help with the dishes.
- Cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze, then make sure
to wash your hands.
- If driving, let other passengers in your lane if there is
construction going on.
- Don't fight over parking spots.
I have a friend in his 70's who is handicap, and has a
handicap parking sticker. During the
Christmas holidays, where parking is scarce, he sat patiently waiting as a
place opened up. As the vehicle pulled
out, he began to pull in, but there was a younger man pulling in the same spot
from another direction. Instead of
giving up the spot to the older handicap man, the young man got out of his car
and threatened bodily harm. My friend
gave up the space and was visibly shaken over the incident.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Some of my favorite
words are Please and Thank you. These
are two words that are often forgotten, and should be used more frequently.
 |
| (Google Image) |
Other favorite words
are Yes Ma'am/Sir and No Ma'am/Sir.
These are probably used more in the South, but it doesn’t hurt to use
them everywhere.
Today, keep in mind ways to be courteous, and once you
get in practice, you can celebrate Common Courtesy Day every day.
