5/23/2011


Is common courtesy a lost art today ? Your Opinion ?
I find if I'm going into a store the person ahead of me
doesn't even hold the door. I always hold the door open,
sometimes I get a thank you, other times " Nothing !" I
think people have lost touch ...

Cheers..Joe

Joe,

The worst I had was a woman yell at me. "I saw you bump my car with your door."
I said, " You did, I have insurance and will gladly pay to have your car fixed.
I was not aware that I touched your car."

Dave looked at her car and our door and said Your damage does not line up."
He showed her that our door could not have hurt her car.
She shrugged and said, " I will let it go."

She either had no manners or lost them.

5/24/2011


What I call low class trash !


Cheers..Joe

It's the times Joe. I don't think people are going to get better.

I, too, think it will get worse. So many people are anonymous, transient and believe their purpose is all that matters. I think the anonymity of technology has contributed. Everyone is in a hurry with no time for the gracious life that includes respect.

Common courtesy is no longer common. There are people who treat others like the golden rule. I fondly remember another kindness that I'll share here.
Reminiscing can be fun. We often remember people and their special qualities.

My wife and I were talking about Canada this evening about the experiences we had while living there. The name of Bob Cummings came up. Gisela remembered our meeting with Bob and his wife Gigi at the Inn on the Park Hotel. They were a warm couple. Bob was especially sensitive to the feelings of others and did his best to give them unexpected recognition.
The first TV show he did in Toronto, he asked the interviewer if he liked his tie. The answer was yes, and Bob said, “I got that from my friend, Abe March.” I didn’t give him the tie, but liked the attention.
When we went to the Calgary Stampede. There was a section of the rodeo stands reserved for celebrities. I accompanied Bob to all events. We sat together, Bob on my right and next to me on my left was Chief Dan George. Dan George played in many western movies as an Indian. He was a genuine Indian from British Columbia. I was thrilled to be sitting next to him.
The celebrities were introduced to the crowd with much applause. Afterward, people lined up for autographs. As Bob and Chief Dan George were signing, a line formed in front of me. I suppose they thought I was someone important if I was with them. Bob winked at me and nodded his head. So, I started signing autographs. The same thing happened at another gathering where I signed autographs. There are people throughout Canada with my autograph still wondering who the hell Abe March is. Sometimes I don’t know myself.

I mention these incidents in my book as well as an incident where Bob showed me what a true professional is. That’s another story. Bob also signed an autograph for my son that said, “Your Daddy’s best friend, Uncle Bob”. My son was having problems at school, being the American kid, and Bob wanted to help. The autograph did help. Unfortunately that autographed photo was left behind in Beirut along with other memorabilia. I still see Bob Cummings in old movies but have never seen a re-run of his TV series, “Love that Bob” most likely because it was filmed in black and white.

Another celebrity I met while in Canada was Anne Murray and was photographed with her. She was also a warm person who wanted to make you feel good. The little hug will always be remembered.

Have you ever wondered how people feel about you? Did they feel warmth or kindness?

Some of them have become so rude they wont even reply to e-mails. Pure evil

Dissenting opinion, here.

Maybe it's the neighborhood I live in, but I run into courteous people every time I go out. The store clerks, other people waiting in line, drivers of the cars on the road, there just seems to be an air of friendliness that is growing stronger all the time.

Maybe part of it comes from the tendency I have been working on lately, of smiling most of the time. I'm not sure where that came from. Maybe it came from seeing those smiles on other faces so often. I think that some of it has come about because of a decision I made a while back, to focus on the good news, the kind responses,.

That hasn't been as easy to do here lately. There has been much more negativity here lately that there was for as long as I can remember posting here. I'm not sure why. I realize that I have sometimes responded to it in a negative way, myself. I've given some thought to just walking away for a while, but this group has become an important part of my day. So I have decided to just try to be a part of the positive element. Maybe you guys will help me with that?

I think, much of the time, we find what we are looking for. We can make a decision to look for the little courtesies, and contribute by giving them, regardless of the demeanor of those we are dealing with.

I have been making a point of smiling at the store clerks, and telling them to have a good day. Lately it seems to have become a standard thing from them as well.

I publicly state here that I am going to try to do that on this board. Feel free to remind me when I slip.

Ann

Ann,
I think you got it right. When you smile, people smile back. I think we attract either positive or negative feelings by our demeanor.
This morning my wife got up feeling good. She even had a smile on her face and that set the tone. We went to the Doctor and the result was good. She said, I'm feeling so good today that I'm afraid something will happen to change that. I replied saying, "Don't think of anything bad, just concentrate on all the good things." We were in the village, Bad Bergsalbern. It is a Kurort - a Spa town. There is a nice pedestrian only shopping zone with sidewalk cafes. It was a sunny morning with a gentle breeze. We had a coffee at one of these open air cafes. The smile on her face caused me to feel great also. After two operations and the Angst of what happens next, it was so great to see her feeling good, smiling and enjoying the day. It made my day. Our waitress seemed especially courteous. Perhaps she got good vibes from us.

Just adding a few smiles.

Abe, good news for you and Gisela. Thanks for sharing it. You both stay in our thoughts.

Ann

I admire Ann for her persistence in seeing the good.

The most touching case of manners I have experienced was that of a man in oxygen who jumped up and offered me his seat. I was able-bodied and totally shocked. I declined and he persisted. Finally, I walked away so he could sit.

No matter, Alice. If I e-mailed you and you could positively identify the e-mail was from me... I'm pretty sure I'll have your reply. A common courtesy between two human beings who know each other.

I think courtesy and attitudes are contagious. The comments here tend to bear that out. I am often amazed by the courtesy of the young. At least in my little corner of the world. It is often offered up by those one would think of as 'punks'. I always show gratitude for kindness in hopes it will encourage more of the same toward others. Courtesy begins with each person who displays it.