Manners

You might call it a pet peeve, and it probably is—I cannot stand people who lack manners. I almost always experience a tinge of indignation when a ‘thank you’ or  ‘please’ is lacking. Maybe I simply had the privilege of parents who understood the value of good manners. I still recall the ‘magic words’—please & thank you—my parents expected from us whenever someone did something for us, or when we wanted something. I guess the habit stuck, and I can’t help but expect it from others as well.

I know I shouldn’t judge others based on my personal values, but some things are just inexcusable.

Showing a little gratitude never hurt anyone. Sometimes, I scoff at how people engage in politesse when meeting others for the first time, but revert back to their ‘old ways’ when they’re with family and friends. It is precisely the people around you that deserve the expression of gratefulness from you.

This started off as a post about manners, when really, it’s about not taking those around you for granted.

There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed.  If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.