The Rave: Mind Your Manners

            People today just don't have any manners. I think Emily post and Miss Manners should be required reading in high school and as probation for bad behavior.

            The biggest offender of all is the cell phone. My friends know how I feel about phones but for those of you who don't -I HATE PHONES. I have no patience for the careless way people use them. A woman traveling on Amtrak was kicked off after talking non stop for 16 hours and she was unrepentant. She should have been removed after an hour.

            People loudly and blithely share their conversations with strangers at restaurants, buses, and grocery stores. Should you ask them to be quiet you may be sharply told to "mind your own business" as if it were easy to ignore a loudmouth. I've heard cell phones go off during Met Opera radio broadcasts. Honestly, if they can't even manage their phone, how could they be responsible parents?

            There are some simple rules to avoid pissing people off.

            If you are with someone and the phone rings either ignore it or ask the person to call later. The person you're with is more important.

            Don't use the cell phone while driving-Ever! It's distracting and dangerous. I politely scolded a friend for texting while her grandson was in the back seat, her excuse was that she had time while at a red light. Anyone who thinks they can handle such multi-tasking is an accident in the making.

            Despite the abundance of clocks and time saving conveniences, no one seems to manage their time very well. If  you are running late, inform people and when you arrive late- thank them for their patience. Give people a 15 minute grace period for appointments.

            When someone offers you a gift say thank you. Whether it's unsolicited advice, or gas money for a car ride, graciously accept it. It cost you nothing and makes the other person feel appreciated.

            Social media can be blamed for the deterioration of civility. Here we are, in an age where people feel entitled to do or say whatever they please with no consideration for others. The internet has made it abundantly clear how mean spirited people are in private because of its anonymity. Mean, bigoted or hateful speech is a waste of  time. We have the right to free speech but that doesn't mean others have to agree with what we say.

       Don't say anything on line you wouldn't say to someone's face. If you want to post a photo, first ask permission from the person pictured. If you text a favor, request or offer and the person refuses don't get all huffy and take it personal, their lives are as busy as yours.                          
        As Miss Manners stated "One of the biggest sorrows in America is that people want to retaliate against rudeness with rudeness. One of my main missions is to say no, there is no excuse for rudeness."