I swear, If I could find a nice Southern town stuck in a 50's time warp (except for central air-conditioning), I would move there in a New York minute! I say "New York minute" because everyone knows New Yorkers move at the speed of light. That is one thing I am rebelling against! I'll readily admit to being a lingerer. I linger, across the board and I'm proud of it. Excuse me if I prefer to enjoy every day rather than go thru life at the pace of an Evelyn Wood devote' (metaphorically speaking). But then, I never understood why ANYone would want to 'speed read' anyway. What's up with that? Isn't reading along with life's other pleasurable activities meant to be savored and enjoyed? Which brings me to question; what has happened to polite society and WHY is everyone is such a freaking hurry? Yes, I want to go back in time when simple pleasures were.... well, simple and pleasurable.
A friend and I were talking the other day, OK, more like whining, over some of the unwelcome changes in our world. She said she missed pulling into a gas station and having someone eagerly run out to fill her tank and check under her hood. I understand! It seems to me that businesses don't want to be bothered with earning your loyalty or patronage; whether you are an employee or a customer. Now everything is either temporary or quick quick. Heck, there are even gas stations called Race Track and Quick Trip, for crying out loud! They actually advertise sandwiches 'on the go'! Gulping a sandwich while driving is certainly not my idea of a meal and notice there is nothing even remotely related to "service" in those gas station names. Its pretty sad when you must go to the car dealer to have the air in your tires checked because... where else can you go? They aren't called 'service stations' anymore folks because there is no service! That's right; you cant trust your car to the man who wears the star, anymore. The end of civilization as we know it.
And while I'm at it, why do some people eat so darn fast? That really bugs me. I mean, no one is going to steal their food if they take a little time to enjoy it and perhaps even risk taking a breath between bites! Gary, for one, is just about finished when I'm taking my second bite! If I order a salad when we go out he gets pretty testy with me because salads take even longer to eat. It never fails that at some point he accuses me of playing with my food! I will say that after eating with my aunt, he understands me a little better. I come by it naturally. I guess we are a family of women who love to organize and artfully arrange the food on our plates. What's the harm? We don't have stomach issues probably because of our creative and leisurely dining practices. For a man of his age, Gary has a fast food mentality; get it quick and get it down even quicker. I have considered getting him one of those dishes that prevents dogs from gulping their food. I wonder if they come in china patterns? While I prefer to dine, Gary just wants to 'get it over with'. I like a glass of wine and lingering conversation after dinner and he prefers a diet coke and an antacid. It makes me crazy.
Perhaps I am old fashioned to think things like leisurely dining, table manners, thank-you notes, and social graces are still very important but I will never change, God as my witness!
I have my own set of social guidelines I try to live by, especially today, when civilized behavior and propriety seem to have flown out the window at breakneck speed. I know they aren't for everyone..... but if you're interested in cultivating some good old Southern charm they cant hurt!
Ladies don't drink from a can, whether its a coke or a beer. What's next, scratching your privates and belching? Bottles are acceptable but if you only have a can either use a straw or my goodness; pour it in a glass!
Men should always open the door for a lady, whether its a car door or otherwise. Ask my boys; I have been known to sit inside the car until one of them opened the door. On several occasions I sat in there quite a while..... to make my point! Eventually they missed me and let me out.
Table manners! Put that napkin in your lap; chew with your mouth closed and keep those elbows OFF the table, yall!
Thank-you notes are a must!!! Much to my boy's chagrin, I have zero tolerance for this where gifts are concerned. Its just poor etiquette unless you were raised in a barn for crying out loud! No one should feel 'entitled'.
The old school white, linen, velvet and patent leather rule is still in effect, yall! Aunt Kat had a saying; "sent for but couldn't go" referring to not being properly attired and missing an event because of it. Invest in a good full length mirror or marry a man (like I did) who wont hesitate to tell you something makes you look like a dumplin. His ribs have almost healed, bless his heart.
Whatever happened to 'please' and 'thank you' and 'it was nice meeting/seeing you'? Mama always said "good manners never go out of style"! Those days when we were constantly threatened with a healthy gargle of Ivory Liquid really paid off.
I hate to say this but technology has brought a gamut of new boorish behaviors, as well. I'm talking about downright rudeness and not necessarily dangerous ones like texting, talking and driving, which is just plain stupid. When you are in a department store, chances are, you are not the only one in thereI And seriously, the rest of us do not want to hear your intimate phone conversations. Especially while stuck in the check-out line or sitting at the next table in a restaurant. Some of the things I have heard..... well, I liketa died!
I'm not sure where common sense has gone but we need to take a step back yall and reclaim our dignity. I think we have become so overly concerned with being politically correct that we don't dare have any civilized expectations of others. That's just so wrong. People need to be aware of what is and isn't acceptable behavior and I, for one, don't mind letting them know, in a sweet genteel sort of way, of course.
I'm not sure where common sense has gone but we need to take a step back yall and reclaim our dignity. I think we have become so overly concerned with being politically correct that we don't dare have any civilized expectations of others. That's just so wrong. People need to be aware of what is and isn't acceptable behavior and I, for one, don't mind letting them know, in a sweet genteel sort of way, of course.
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