The Death of Common Courtesy

[BewareofNick]

I believe the date of death would be October 7, 1996.

[healthguy]

I came upon the thread a little late. However, I very much like the topic, and these are my thoughts:

1) I still have have a core philosophy that we want to get along with each other. If at least to thrive and exist.

2) Being kind, caring and thoughtful to others during the day, sure makes taking Ambien less of issue to fall asleep at night.

3) Saying thank you, holding a door, letting someone else go first simply makes me feel warm all over.

4) Doing something for someone, taking someone chicken soup, and NOT expecting anything in return is what I try to accomplish.

5) Listening to someone, and not talking about myself. What a gift.

6) And, using the word that has come up on different threads, simply being NICE to one another.

7) As Max implied, perhaps us Yankees that still have more of a courtesy gene left.

Have a fun, safe weekend everyone. Rand

[+ Archer]

While all the posts made here are relevant and on topic, the thread has morphed slightly from its original intention. As originally written, it was meant more about "public" courtesy involving 1 on 1 interactions, as opposed to interactions with Service related entities. Of course, courtesy should be extended in every walk of life but you seem to "expect" it more when dealing with services you are paying for, although the reality of that is often not true. Lets face it, when it a DMV or Postal employee ever courteous ?

 

Apparently, I'm the exception to the rule. In my dealings with the DMV and Post Office here in Portland and in the other cities where I have lived, I have very rarely had a bad experience. Most of the time, the people have been very courteous and helpful.

[jjkrkwood]

I came upon the thread a little late. However, I very much like the topic, and these are my thoughts:

1) I still have have a core philosophy that we want to get along with each other. If at least to thrive and exist.

2) Being kind, caring and thoughtful to others during the day, sure makes taking Ambien less of issue to fall asleep at night.

3) Saying thank you, holding a door, letting someone else go first simply makes me feel warm all over.

4) Doing something for someone, taking someone chicken soup, and NOT expecting anything in return is what I try to accomplish.

5) Listening to someone, and not talking about myself. What a gift.

6) And, using the word that has come up on different threads, simply being NICE to one another.

7) As Max implied, perhaps us Yankees that still have more of a courtesy gene left.

Have a fun, safe weekend everyone. Rand

 

HG, your wish list Reads like a Hallmark card, and we all know even those are becoming EXTINCT....

[jjkrkwood]

Apparently, I'm the exception to the rule. In my dealings with the DMV and Post Office here in Portland and in the other cities where I have lived, I have very rarely had a bad experience. Most of the time, the people have been very courteous and helpful.

 

BUT, are the CONSCIOUS ?

[Decatur Guy]

1) You enter the subway and wait for the train. A train pulls in, and all the passengers are crowded around the doors while there is PLENTY of room in the middle of the train, but the passengers wont move to allow you on.

 

2) You get on a crowded bus, but a passenger and her shopping bags are spread over 2 seats and she wont remove them to allow you to sit down.

 

3) You are on line at the grocery store, and the person ahead of you has 2 carts full of food to check-out, while you are only holding a container of orange juice. But they wont allow you to go ahead of them.

 

WTF ???? Why are people so resistant to things that require so little effort from them. Are they mean ? Rude? just oblivious or stupid ? Or do they just lack Courtesy ?

 

The above examples are occurences that take place in NYC, a city with the biggest and baddest attitudes, so I just chalk it up.

 

How are things in your neck of the woods ?

 

It's not just NYC. In fact, I find the folks of NYC to be a little more polite than residents of most other big cities. Now my little hometown in the South is a little more friendly. But overall, that kind of unnecessary rudeness is generally well-distributed.

[josephga]

From my experience people in NYC are much friendlier than those here in Atlanta

[jjkrkwood]

From my experience people in NYC are much friendlier than those here in Atlanta

 

Yup, here in NYC they are always smiling when they mug you.

[leigh.bess.toad]

If today's headline on HuffPo is any indication, it may be worse than we thought:

 

"Chicago Symphony Orchestra Fight: Concert-Goers Brawl During Performance"

 

During a performance of Brahms' Second? I'm surprised they were awake to even stir, let alone fight.

 

And given Muti's reported temper, I'm surprised he didn't just run them through with his baton.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/10/chicago-symphony-orchestra-fight_n_1337089.html

[+ Archer]

BUT, are the CONSCIOUS ?

 

Yes, they were conscious, engaged and interested in helping me. I've had a few bad experiences with various businesses. The most recent problem was customer service from the manufacturer of the smartphone I purchased last month. That was one incident, with one company that took 3 days to clear up. In general, people are very willing to help, if you treat them with respect. Most of the time, it's my attitude and behavior that sets the tone.