Make Manners Great Again

You can tell a lot about someone by how they treat others. Effectively what we would refer to as basic manners and human decency.

A lot of us have a pet peeve in life. One thing that is guaranteed to really wind us up. For me it is lack of manners. Is it really difficult to say excuse me or sorry. The supermarket is a hotbed for it. I am losing count of the people who just swoop in with no thought of “excuse me”. No – just swoop in front of someone with complete disregard as if they are invisible. I have to admit, it’s happened to me a lot lately and I am sick of it. I mean, I know I am quite short but I’m not that easy to miss.

I feel like it is another remnant of the Covid era when we spent so long isolated from others. It’s like we came out of lockdown and people completely forgot how to act in society. It’s either that or there is a culture of selfishness which makes people think they are entitled.

It’s not only about how some people treat others but also how they treat the environment around them. Litter droppers really annoy me. If there isn’t a bin available, take it home. Don’t just throw it away for someone else to deal with. Councils do less and less to look after community areas so it should be incumbent on the rest of us to just take a bit of pride in the area we live and look after it. Nice surroundings just make people feel better and lifts spirits.

Nothing represents the complete dearth of manners and respect more so than the current pandemic of shoplifting which becomes more prolific by the day. Crack down on the smallest of crimes and you create an environment where there is a deterrent and shared community respect. Not now – just walk in, fill a bag or clear a shelf. They know nothing will happen while those of us who work hard and would never dream of stealing pay the price with higher costs passed onto the consumer to cover the losses.  

• I’ve put together a list of things which shouldn’t be difficult but seemingly are:

• Say please and thank you

• Say excuse me if you want someone to move out of the way to allow you to get to something

• Smile and hold eye contact when speaking to someone

• Treat people with respect, especially those serving you in shops, restaurants, bars, cafes

• Don’t drop litter

• Don’t park cars in a way that makes it almost impossible for others to get out

• Don’t panic buy – invariably there will be plenty for everyone if people find some self-control

• Don’t steal

• Pick up after your dog

There are just a few. Over to you – what else would you add to that list to get decency, respect and manners back into society?