I was impressed with your editorial on civility. Political correctness is not civility and cannot be of southern origin. Civility has been a staple of the South dating back hundreds of years. I mean, really how many books are written about Northern Manners?
Down here in the South, we are taught that manners are one of the most important bricks in the foundation of life. Or they used to be taught that way. I have witnessed so many children nowadays that have no idea even what a manner is. They expect adults to cater to their every whim and they are allowed to speak to adults, especially their parents rudely and obnoxiously. Teenagers even treat each other abhorrently.
My granddaughter goes to a large high school and some of the girls there are horrible to her and each other. I’ve heard that it isn’t any better in smaller schools, even ours. I’ve listened to news reports of the suicides by young children caused by being bullied.
Have the parents and/or grandparents gotten so caught up in themselves that they have failed to pass on the civility that is so tied to our Southern heritage?
Have the parents and/or grandparents gotten so caught up in themselves that they have failed to pass on the civility that is so tied to our Southern heritage?
Good manners will get and keep a good job, even when someone else may be more qualified. Good manners will draw people to you, even though you don’t invite them. Good manners will bring people back to your store to shop. Good manners make other people feel good about themselves. Good manners allow us to be civil to one another, even when we would rather not.
Parents, even if you are rebellious like I used to be, please make sure that your children are taught good manners. It is not too late to start. It does carry over into their adult lives. With it goes… love of family and country, respect for one another, peace, and ultimately God’s Golden Rule….loving one another as He loves us. All of us should practice good manners. Say thank you and please, sir and ma’am, be gracious to those around you, stop long enough to shake someone’s hand in greeting, and see what kind of peace comes from that in just a week.
Thanks, again, Kim for reminding us of this almost lost Southern trait!
Great post my friend. As I see it civility and manners have been lost for maybe decades. This country was founded and our predominate HOPE was in God. We next moved into a phase where we put our HOPE in this nation - you know like we are the best, we are the defenders of all others and to me we moved the nation above God and put our HOPE in the nation until we got to the 60's. Than we moved to the next phase which is when we placed the individual above everything and except for a remnant lost our focus on God. It became all about me,me,me,me. Materialism, money, greed, work when both parents left the house and we started to have latch key kids come home to an empty house. What is written in this post and the editorial speaks to the beginning of the loss of civility and manners. The focus became centered totally around individuals while losing sight of those around us. Who cares about being kind, showing love, speaking in a caring way rather than shouting and using foul language and showing little or no respect for others. Parents have given up their responsibilities in raising their kids anymore. It is the schools job and other places outside the home so they say. This results in many kids getting involved with others who aren't civil and don't use manners when interacting with other kids and even their parents. Rebellion amongst the youth is rampant in our society today and seems to be getting worse. Some of it is the political correctness, tolerance of allowing kids and adults to do whatever with NO boundaries and seeing right as wrong and wrong as right. We have made idols of many things in America and the world and walked away from God. Choices have been made and there are consequences to choices and what this post and editorial speak about is a consequence to choices we have made as a people. The hearts of many have become hardened and focused on a gimmee, gimmee mentality. So many don't hesitate to get ugly as they are looking out for themselves. I could go on for some time but will stop. Keep the post coming as they stimulate thought and that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteYour friend Bob