Road rage, checkout lines, we all demand and there is no patience anymore! Where is showing respect to others? Do you really think people are out to make you mad? We'll all benefit from a more conscientious, cheerful mindset if enough people make an effort to incorporate some old-fashioned etiquette into modern life. And that's quite a pleasant thought.
They were called the magic words in childhood: please, thank you, you're welcome. Many a toddler has made a demand only to encounter a parent asking for these magic words. Use the right one and that youngster promptly got his wish. Magic, indeed. Unfortunately, that magic has worn off for far too many people as they've grown older. "Please" has been replaced by demands and expectations, "thank you" with a grunt or a nod. (And forget about "you're welcome." If anyone does bother to say "thank you," the typical response is, "sure," "no problem," or, "No, no, thank you.")
Yes, the literal translation of R.S.V.P. is a request: please reply. That doesn't mean you should blow it off. It's still common courtesy to let someone know whether you plan to grace them with your presence. Guesstimating how many will actually come can lead to an ill-prepared and stressed out party planner. An accurate headcount, on the other hand, can help make a happy host and a more pleasant evening all around. And it only takes a second to click that button that says whether or not you're coming.
The image of two people walking side by side engrossed in their own text messages is sad. When it's one person yakking on the phone while a friend is sits across the table picking at her salad, it's just rude. Cell phones have become a necessity we let run our lives. We've been trained to respond to every little beep or vibration, whether important or trivial, no matter what. If the phone interrupts something you're doing, that's one thing. But when you spend time with someone and decide to take a phone call, you let that other person know they're not as important as whoever is calling. Sure, there are certain emergencies when you need to stay glued to your phone, but how many messages and calls can wait until later? We survived without being constantly online before the advent of the cell phone. You can wait half an hour to check the direct message you just got through Twitter.
