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Have We Become Too Busy For Manners?

Written by Patti on June 30th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Recently I was told by someone I love that I have been misplacing my “pleases” and “thank yous.”  You can only imagine my mortification as I value manners above most things. Even though my schedule has resembled the timetable at Grand Central Station, I realized this was true. Busy should never equal lack of manners. My apologies have overflowed, but it got me thinking.

In this incredibly busy world of ours, have we become too busy for manners? Have we lost our ability to allow others to speak without interrupting their story? Has social media turned us into a bunch of self-absorbed ninnies? Have Facebook and Twitter and golly-knows-what-else made us bratty three-year-olds who always need to be the center of attention?

Gosh, I hope not. But I do think social graces have waned in a lot of us.

Take a moment today to tell those you love how you feel. Be lavish with your manners. Let someone tell a story without calculating what you are going to say next. Engage your brain before you open your mouth.

You won’t believe the difference in your quality of life.  And it doesn’t cost a thing.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Dido – Thank You

 

10 Comments so far ↓

  1. Christina Ahumada says:

    Love this, Patti. Great post to remind us you are never too busy for manners – and please and thank yous go a long way.

  2. Chris says:

    Oooh! Good post. Its crazy because I used to be a stickler in school with the kids, and a bit of a hardass, about their manners. Even down to making sure I said, “Thank you, now have a wonderful day.” after I suspended someone! (ha!) Not so much in my personal life. And, its not on purpose! I think I just have my daily agenda and proceed with unintentional blinders. Need to work on that.

    Thank YOU for posting this and for being you. 😉

  3. Kathy says:

    I absolutely love this song! What ever happened to Dido?

  4. Patti says:

    Christina – It is so true, isn’t it?

    Chris – I love how you handled your kids at the school.

    Thank you both. I appreciate you more than you know.

    xoxo, Patti

  5. Patti says:

    Kathy, isn’t it a good one? Plus, I love that house in the video – all those gorgeous colors! xoxo, P

  6. Elizabeth says:

    An awesome reminder! I’ve been meaning to start writing Thank You Notes, but I could at least start by saying it more. 🙂

  7. Patti says:

    Hi Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by! I am looking forward to our dinner next month. xoxo, Patti

  8. Patti says:

    Carrie, you and Steven are two of the most courteous folks I know. Lucky me!! xoxo, Patti

  9. Jenniifer says:

    Great thoughts, Patti. Manners are slipping away and it has made for some pretty rude people! It’s something I continue to teach my children, but when no one else practices them, they slip away.

  10. Patti says:

    Jennifer, your children are way ahead of the game for having a great mother like you! xoxo, patti