| Well are you? Do you know what the word 'etiquette' | | | | Some of the younger ones will tell you they don't care |
| refers to? Do you think we are talking about table | | | | about all of that fluff, 'who cares if I eat with my |
| manners? Well table manners are a part of etiquette | | | | fingers', but then see how they want all the etiquette |
| but only a small part. Etiquette applies to all things in life. | | | | correct for their wedding. |
| It is a system of behaviors that are genteel and kind. | | | | Many children today don't even know what table |
| I have some thoughts on the condition of the world | | | | manners are. They eat in front of the TV with their |
| today, as I'm sure many of us do. Yes it's fast, | | | | fingers. They don't know how to use the tools of the |
| competitive, loud, somewhat unethical and definitely | | | | table or what to do with a napkin. The etiquette they |
| rude. We can't do much about the first three, and each | | | | use outside the home is non existent and foul language |
| of us must improve the unethical part in ourselves, but | | | | is definitely poor etiquette. |
| it is the last one I want to consider here. | | | | Most of us have great hopes for our children to |
| We long for the 'good old days' when life was more | | | | succeed. We save for a college education, investigate |
| relaxed and the pleasures of life were abundant. Now I | | | | 'better schools' etc., but we neglect the home training |
| suspect that an image of a mint julep in the hand of a | | | | of good manners. You may not think this is important, |
| beautifully dressed lady on a veranda has jumped into | | | | but you can be almost certain that there will come a |
| your mind. Well that is a little before my time, but | | | | day when they will be invited to an event where the |
| doesn't it sound lovely? | | | | table setting has 2 or 3 forks and your child will not |
| No, I'm thinking more like the 1940-50's. This was a time | | | | make a good impression. |
| when etiquette was still important and bad manners at | | | | Etiquette does not only apply to the dinner table, it |
| the table were not tolerated. People cleaned up to sit | | | | applies to all of life. It requires treating other with |
| down to dinner and napkins were used for the | | | | respect and consideration. Are you angry when your |
| purpose they were intended. Dressing properly for an | | | | phone call is not returned? Do you hate it when |
| occasion was adhered to. Men still acted like | | | | someone's cell phone rings in the middle of a |
| gentlemen and women like ladies. Men should know | | | | conversation? How about visiting someone in their |
| that I do not know of a lady who does not enjoy | | | | home and they don't have enough respect for you to |
| having the door opened for her, or an arm to lean on | | | | turn off the television? All of these are examples of |
| going down some stairs. | | | | rude behavior and if you dislike them, then you can be |
| I know there are some good things that have | | | | sure others feel the same. They demonstrate a lack |
| emerged from the looser societal rules of blue jeans | | | | of caring for your feelings. Good manners/etiquette is |
| and sweat shirts and running shoes. This behavior has | | | | simply a way of making other people comfortable in |
| helped to eliminate class distinctions and make | | | | your company, whether as your guest or sitting across |
| everyone appear the same. | | | | the table from you. |