Common Curtsey – Where did it go???
By ebsharer
@ebsharer (5515)
United States
August 14, 2008 9:42am CST
I am one of those abnormal people that when in a store I walk around and shop. During that time if for some reason I have to walk in front of some one I say “excuse me”. If for some reason I need to pass some one because they are taking to long or just left there cart in the middle of the isle I say “excuse me”.
I am also abnormal in that when I stop to look at some thing I leave my cart in a place that people can pass it if they want to. It’s always very hard for me to do that – I mean I could just leave it in the middle of the isle and not take the extra step to push it off to the side but that’s common curtsey and again abnormal.
I am abnormal in that when I’m driving IF some one lets me get in front of them – I wave! Yeah a Thank you wave. A wave saying hey I appreciate you gave me the 2 second head start!
Last week I was shopping at WalMart (always a job – opps joy) and as always the lines were 25 people long because they only had 3 cashiers in the entire store but any way that’s not my point. I saw a lady standing behind me who only had two items. I said go ahead of me. I mean really how long can it take to cash out two items compared to my cart full? Do you think she said a word! Nope just walked her self right in front of me with out a word of thanks! I said thank you to her for reminding me that people aren’t grateful for anything any more.
What about holding a door? I mean that has to be the hardest thing in the world to do! When my daughter was about 8 months I took her to the mall – just her and I. We went to the door and there I was trying really hard to open the door and push the stroller in at the same time. As I am doing this 6 yes 6 people walked AROUND me! I even got to hold the door for one of them! Are you kidding me! By the way when I hold the door for some one and they don’t say thank you I say “Your Welcome!” loudly so they can hear it.
So what are your common curtsey issues? Where has it gone? Are we that busy that we can’t say thanks or excuse me? Maybe we need to text it - thx! Is life that hectic that you can’t hold a door for a mom or just because the person is behind you? Tell me your thoughts!
1 person likes this
3 responses
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
14 Aug 08
I have noticed the same thing, common courtesy is no more. Like you I always say 'excuse me' if I have to walk in front of someone while they are looking at something in a store. Someone opens or holds the door for me (not too often) I always say thank you. And I am always courteous to the elderly, taking the two seconds longer to hold a door for them, stopping my car the extra minute for them to get from the parking lot to the store entrance. And I always taught my daughters to be courteous. It seems there is a whole generation that doesn't know what common courtesy is, and therefore they don't teach it to their children. I also will say 'your welcome' loudly when I do something for someone and they do not even take a second to acknowledge it. I am reminded of a line from the Addams Family movie, where Tuesday asks for something and her mom says 'What do you say?' and tuesday says 'Now!'. A play on always saying please and thank you, my daughters and I used to replay that line, but they knew to always say please and thank you.
1 person likes this
@ebsharer (5515)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Its all just very irritating. How am I surposted to teach my daughter to have manners when people are so rude? Often I wanna tell the jerk that pushed his cart in front of mine with out so much as an excuse to me shove it! Or the people that you say excuse me to and they don't move! My girl friend and I have had that talk a few times. Where you will be standing there saying excuse me excuse me EXCUSE ME! FINE I'LL JUST PUSH YOU OUT OF THE WAY! 
What to do!?!?!
What to do!?!?!1 person likes this
@jands1 (835)
• United States
14 Aug 08
Oh ebsharer, I completely empathize with you. I was raised in a different level of society than the one I inhabit. Though I do not regret leaving that behind years ago, I do regret the manners that went with it.
I am *exactly* like you. I take that extra moment to make sure myself and my things do not impede others. I say "Thank you" when doors are opened, or someone does something. I haven't forgotten what please is.
Before Hurricane Katrina, the people in my area (French Quarter, New Orleans, LA USA) were very much like me. Well, so long as we avoided the tourists area.
Now most of my neighbours are Northerners. Bless them for coming to make a buck to "rebuild" (yeah...not seeing much rebuilding), but they brought with them their not-so-warm-don't-have-time-my-Mamma-didn't-teach-me-that attitude that was in direct opposition to the slower attitude of Nawlins's I-have-time-to-make-a-friend-and-say-hello.
I think it is up to people like us ebsharer, to persist gently but firmly, with carrying on being polite, warm and civil with the patience that even Mother Teresa would have envied.
@riyasam (16556)
• India
14 Aug 08
i know what you mean.i get very irritated when i see such normal people.my hubby calls me mrs prude,i really do not understand on what basis he calls me that.heavens,what is the world coming to!!!!it is now considered prudish to have some basic manners.
