A few weeks ago, I was listening to an inspirational speaker on the radio, who made the comment, “They don’t teach kids manners anymore.”
I’m not sure that is entirely true, but I have noticed some changes in the behaviors of kids now, as opposed to how we were encouraged to act when I was a child.
I also know a few adults who apparently didn’t learn good manners.
I grew up in the “deep south,” and we were taught to address adults using “ma’am and sir.” If my mother asked me something, and the answer was “Yes,” then it was “Yes, Ma’am.”
The response was never “Yeah.”
In school, we were required to respond to our teachers in the same way. I don’t remember that it was really mentioned that much, because we all knew how to respond with the proper titles. We learned it at home.
Another thing, as a child I was never on a first-name basis with any adult. It was Mrs. Henderson, or Mr. Hill. To a child, an adult did not have a first name, except if they were my aunts or uncles. It was Uncle Ray and Aunt Katherine, not Ray and Katherine.
I don’t encourage children to call me Mrs. Simpson, but if they do call me that, I will not correct them.
It is, however, encouraged to say “please” and “thank you” today. We think of that as just common courtesy.
I don’t remember as a child being taught to be “kind” to other people. I remember being taught to be “polite.” There’s a difference.
We hear a lot about kindness, and what people do for the sake of kindness to others. We are kind when we treat one another with empathy, with consideration, paying attention to their feelings. Kindness may be intentional or random, like “a random act of kindness.”
Being polite is more of a social interaction that adheres to rules of manners. So, saying “please” or “thank you” is a form of politeness.
I have been thinking of these two terms, because with the use of social media, I have noticed distinct differences in personalities when people interact with others in social media posts versus in-person.
It disturbs me to read some of the rudest comments on social media about others. It doesn’t matter that the people don’t personally know the people they are bashing. Why do it?
When there is a death, no matter who it is, why post negative comments about the person who died? Everyone knows the person was not perfect.
When I see a post by someone bashing another, I don’t celebrate that rudeness. I feel sorry for the person who posted it. It is that person who looks bad.
We need to be more intentional about being both kind and polite.
Be kind to one another.
— Mi amor para todos,
Nancy
• • •
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
— Ephesians 4:32