Will B.
One of my favorite subjects to write about and even chat about are manners and common courtesy. Some may be tired of the subject by now but I enjoy broaching the subject and passing on tips whenever possible. Both can make a day much more pleasant for those around them.
These tips go beyond the basics which I have covered previously. Don’t call past 9 p.m. unless it’s an emergency. Calling during the dinner hour used to be a big one but these days there just isn’t a typical dinner hour it seems for most. When calling others or texting, don’t repeatedly call or text if the person doesn’t answer or reply right away; they might be busy and the interruption could be troublesome.
When borrowing money from friends or family, I highly recommend you don’t, but in some cases, there is no other choice. If you do borrow money, set a date for the repaying and stick to that date. It is hard to make financial plans if you’re waiting on a borrower who is late repaying funds.
When someone takes you out for dinner, lunch or drinks, don’t order the most expensive items on the menu. Repay the kind offer later. For example, when I am treated to dinner or lunch, I generally skip the drink and order water and order from the cheaper side of the menu. Even if the person can afford it, doing so just shows a general lack of courtesy toward your friend.
Always be kind to people in the service industry. This could be wait staff, a stocker or cashier at the grocery store or any number of jobs. This is a hard job for little pay and someone has to perform these jobs. There is an argument that some say, if they don’t like it they can get a better job. That’s just plain rude and offers a callous approach to your fellow humans. Treat others as you would like to be treated. In fact, treat them better because they could be having a bad day.
Always, without fail, hold the door for those behind you. It’s just good manners. More so for ladies and your elders. You can disagree with someone’s opinion and still be friends; there is more than one side to a coin. Never interrupt people when they are talking. This one is huge with me because when you interrupt someone it shows you don’t value what they have to say. It’s fun to tease your friends but if you see they don’t like it then stop. They could be having problems you don’t know about. Always give a warm smile to those you pass, a hug to those who will not run away and a kind word to those who need it most. This is Will B saying, manners and smiles are free, use them liberally.