MANNERS

It seems to me we are getting increasingly more rude here in the United States of America. (Okay, not all of us -that's a sweeping generalization. But many of us.) I don't think I'm imagining it. I see an uptick in name calling and trading insults on social media. Who started the trend of calling people trolls when they voice a differing opinion on Facebook? Where along the way did we decide it was okay to lean out of car windows and hurl f-bombs at people who are peaceably waving and holding signs for their favorite political candidate? What, in short, happened to manners?
If I see a mom with a baby stroller trying to navigate the door into a grocery store, how hard is it for me to hurry over and open the door for her? If someone opens a door for me, is there any reason I can't say thank you? If I don't agree with someone on an issue do I really need to insult that persons character or intelligence? How does that convince the other person that I'm right?
2020 is not going to go down as a stellar year for most of us and I understand that we have big problems to deal with. People are stressed and worried about their future. I get that.
But perhaps, in spite of our stress and frustration, when dealing with those simple daily interactions, we can try and extend just a little more kindness, mind our manners, and remember what Mom always said. I bet you already know what that is, right? If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
Let's all get in touch with our inner Miss Manners and go into these last few months, if not happily, at least civilly. Can we do that? I'm sure going to try!