Does courtesy still exist?
By feralcat
@feralcat (426)
Canada
June 1, 2008 9:46am CST
I picked some coffees this morning at a local gas station. Leaving the store a lady pulled up and got to the door at the same time as I was ready to leave. Now I could've simply butted my way out and ignored her but I did the respectful thing and let her come in. Seeing my hands were full oe would expect that she would've at least kept the door opened long enough for me to walk out but nope, she simply let the door shut in my face.
I still open doors for people, I still brake when I see a pedestrian wanting to cross the street or if someone needs help I'll stop and see if I can assist them in anyway.
I say please, thank you, and your welcome all the time and I wave in recognition when the driver of another vehicle gives me the right of way but what as happened with so much of our society lately? where has courtesy and respect gone?
We seem to be such a stressed out and rushed society these days that we just don't give a damn about the next person. So many gravitate towards the "me" syndrome.
I was raised with morals and values and that you should respect one another but somewhere along the way values were thrown out the door and respect gave way to indifference.
Do you find that there is a major lack of courtesy or common sense these days?
2 people like this
12 responses
@anonymili (3138)
•
1 Jun 08
I have been raised to use good manners, I always say please, thank you and sorry where appropriate. I am a woman but I will still hold a door open for someone else if they're coming out of a door behind me whether I know them or not or if someone is about to walk through from the other direction. More often than not people don't bother to say thanks. It bugs me, but it won't stop me from doing it. The more people that stop doing it because it's not done back to them and that's how common courtesy starts disappearing more and more. If someone bumps into me in the street because they're not looking where they're going, I still end up saying sorry, it's like an automatic reflex. I always thank other drivers who give me way and am amazed by the other of drivers that I give way to that don't bother thanking me, nodding in appreciation or showing any sign that I gave them way when I didn't have to... I will continue to show courtesy to others till the day I die and it's good to know there are people like you around - shows they're are still some decent corteous people around :)
@devtina (371)
• India
1 Jun 08
its mainly to do with the way you are brought up....and then later on the surroundings or the environment also changes a person ....its nice that you still hold those values dear n still follow them...its strange but true...even if your courteous enough you would not get any response at times ...its just that people lack that sense of acknowledgment....they just care a damn...but i guess if people like you still exist raised with good morals and values then i guess Courtesy too exists :)
1 person likes this
@roanne05 (1290)
• Oman
2 Jun 08
well,,,yeah there are some people that really don't bother to be respectfull or courtues enough to help..in the first place you help her open the door...whatever...some poeple are really born like that and you can never teach courtesy and respect...
@sanzhiyan (68)
• China
2 Jun 08
i do appreciate you for what you have done
i also did the same thing as you did when i'm in a good mood .
and i think it's very interesting ,but i don't want they to give a reward or something like that .i just enjoy the momment ,that i can help the others that means i'm useful to the others
and old saying said that :giving is happier than taken
@supakamikaze (88)
• United States
2 Jun 08
hell yea.people have no respect nowadays. i hold the door open for people they dont even say thank you. i just should let it slam in their faces
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
1 Jun 08
I find that the majority of people are very nice, however, there are some that are downright rude. I don't let it change my behaviour though. I still open doors, and help people, let older people have my seat in the subway, etc., etc. Please don't let the few idiots in our society put you off your good use of manners and courtesy. I think the problem is there is a real sense of entitlement these days, and people just don't think of others, you're right, it's me, me, me.
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
1 Jun 08
Unfortunately in a lot of places it is the way you are talking about but where I live thankfully there are still some people who will show manners and treat people with courtesy and respect. I'm so thankful there are still people out there who were brought up like you and treat people that way. I was at my credit union Friday and the parking there is not the greatest in the world. As I was getting ready to leave there was a gentleman in his truck who could see that I was trying to watch as I left to make sure I didn't hit anyone or get hit myself. He was so nice, he got out of his truck and took time to watch the traffic for me and help me get out safely. I waved at him in thanks as I left.
I'm proud of you and you keep doing like you are doing. There are still nice people out there and hopefully the next time you will be treated with the respect and courtesy that you deserve. God Bless!!!
@Samanthavv (1380)
• United States
2 Jun 08
Yeah, I know what you mean. It really sucks sometimes. I don't drive, but I have a nine month old daughter, and I'll be waiting to cross the street with her in the stroller for as long as half an hour sometimes! And people won't even stop to let us cross! Even when it's cold or raining!
@jewelenterprises (1996)
• Australia
2 Jun 08
Well, your behaviour proves that courtesy still exists.
But in general I find such courtesy becoming rare. Young people no longer offer seats on public transport to the elderly or pregnant women.
It gives me great enjoyment when I see someone offer that kind of courtesy.
I remember years ago, I was on a bus and I pressed the button for my stop. Myself and two other girls stood up to get off the bus. As I got off I called out 'thank you' to the driver. Well, one of the girls commented to the other, 'what's she thanking him for, it's his job!'... As I passed them I flung back a similarly offhanded comment that 'Courtesy costs nothing!'
@jczvrse (169)
• United States
2 Jun 08
These days there is a major lack of respect and courtesy, like you say it is the day and age of me me me. It's all about the almighty dollar, gotta rush can't be late screw who I have to trample over to get there. Then when driving they are too busy to get off the cell to pay attention where they are going or to what they are doing, cutting people off. It is terrible what did happen to the people of yesterday. I'm glad to see you are one of the few people left in this world with values, kudos to you, don't let the rudeness of todays people change you .
@heleni0 (322)
•
2 Jun 08
I always hold doors open for people, let people get on the bus ahead of me, say please and thank you and show my appreciation if a driver lets me cross the street. I've always been that way and it's automatic. Sadly these days the majority of people seem to be in too much of a hurry to get to where they want to be to show any kind of courtesy towards anyone.
