Etiquette...

Etiquette ( /ˈɛtɨkɛt/ or /ˈɛtɨkɪt/, French: [e.ti.kɛt]) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group. The French word étiquette, literally signifying a tag or label first appeared in English around 1750.^[1]

Lately I have wondered...

has etiquette just completely disappeared from our daily lives?

Respect for others, their feelings, their opinions.

 

Manners, treating people the way you would like to be treated.

Tact, knowing what to say, what not to say & when to stop talking.

Self Worth, having pride in your appearance, 

say what you mean & mean what you say. 

I see people in stores, 

cannot get in line,

cannot WAIT their turn.

I see people on the road doing the same thing,

but adding ugly faces or hand motions.

I turn on the television and see "reality shows" featuring young people wearing very little clothing, engaging in very unfavorable behavior...

Just recently I had some "friends" on facebook 

be openly disrespectful to me because I stated that I didn't plan on reading 50 Shades of Grey. Certainly, it's none of my business if you want to read that...I honestly could care less...it's not my thing, sorry. 

I respect you & I would appreciate you respecting me...

seems pretty simple.

& as my friend Linda said,

"be careful what becomes the new norm".

It seems like times are changing

& I'm going backward....

Ha.

Apparently, I'm just a 50's Housewife

trapped in the wrong time period! ;)

I have sent several graduation gifts in the past couple of years, only to receive a very small handful handwritten notes thanking me for the gift in return.

This year I have sent two wedding gifts and a baby shower gift that have not rendered a handwritten note, an email or even a verbal acknowledgement that it was received.

That has kind of bummed me out.

What am I doing about it?

Aside from wanting to shock my children with a taser every time they fail to say yes ma'am, no ma'am, please or thank you...

This summer Miss O is participating in a manners class.

I am tickled to death over this &

she seems to be enjoying it too.

They're learning about treating others with kindness,

graciousness,

and respect.

Acting like a little lady,

making a bed,

how to set a table, 

how to fold a napkin,

how to handle social situations,

writing THANK YOU cards

etc.

I don't expect this class to yield results,

but I bet she will remember it for many years to come

& apply it one day when she has children of her own.

I try very hard to walk the talk myself, 

because you can be sure that these older kids are dying to shock me with a taser when they see my elbows on the table. ;)

Haha!

Ok, enough soapbox.

But I will leave you with this...

The end. ;)

Hope y'all have a very happy weekend!