I remember going to a ski resort in college and thanking the server as he handed me my plate in the cafeteria line (automatic after years of training by my mom). He told me I was the first person who had thanked him all day. People have always been discourteous, I guess!
"I wish that people who are conventionally supposed to love each other would say to each other, when they fight, 'Please - a little less love, and a little more common decency.'"
"France’s iconic bars-tabacs are closing in droves, stripping communities of a key social lifeline and influencing their politics, according to a study that links the decline of neighbourhood bars with the rise in support for the far-right National Rally."
"The link between local pub closures and support for UKIP: I found that local decline contributes to a rise in support for radical-right political parties – and that the loss of local pubs plays a surprisingly important role in the shift."
One of many things I loved traveling Europe in the early 70s was the bars. They were welcoming places, not dark, dingy dens of sin and denial. Kids were often welcome. There was laughter and food.
We used to have neighborhood taverns in America but those died, too. Many things to blame here, but Europe?
"Only a great fool or a great genius is likely to flout all social grace with impunity, and neither one in doing so makes the most comfortable companion." Stable Genius is a Great Fool and Grace Flouter and thus has 100% approval per CNN, so theory disproved!
The Golden Rule, replicated in various iterations in other religions, shows us that people have always needed to be reminded that courtesy ought to be more common. Manners and etiquette are more demanding and controlling expansions.
One thing is, though, you can read the Rule in reverse and treat assholes as they treat you.
They're looking at equipping those dog robots with guns to work in law enforcement, so there are now Youtube videos on how to disable or elude an armed robot dog cop.
That dog photo reminds me of a visit to someone's house, where I found myself facing three small dogs barking and growling in front of me. After 20 minutes drinking coffee and talking while sitting on the couch I had a dog resting it's head on each leg and the third on top of the couch resting it's head on my shoulder.
I was very particular regarding the demonstration of good manners at our house when my girls were growing up. "Please" and "Thank you" were expected. Failure to do so meant being taken aside and gently corrected. Fortunately that was all that was required to correct rude or otherwise thoughtless, careless behavior that could offend.
I was very proud of my girls and their excellent manners. It was very gratifying when other people noticed and commented on how kind, helpful, or otherwise impressive the girls' behavior was in various social situations. The girls learned early on that how you will be treated depends entirely upon how you treat others.
I am a fervent admirer of Miss Manners. Courtesy lubricates the relations among us selfish oafs. Were it not for "common" courtesy we'd all just revert to being the boys in Lord of the Flies.
I'm more on the Amy Vanderbilt side - etiquette exists to make others comfortable.
My mother told us the story of my great aunt who was married to someone very high up in an international service organization. At a fancy dinner (in Argentina, I think) my great aunt saw a fingerbowl for the first time. So she drank from it. The hostess saw that, so she drank from hers too, rather than embarrass my great aunt.
I remember going to a ski resort in college and thanking the server as he handed me my plate in the cafeteria line (automatic after years of training by my mom). He told me I was the first person who had thanked him all day. People have always been discourteous, I guess!
The Napkins have small dogs. We call them "doglettes".
"I wish that people who are conventionally supposed to love each other would say to each other, when they fight, 'Please - a little less love, and a little more common decency.'"
Kurt Vonnegut, Slapstick
OK, here's my comment and/or question regarding courtesy: Why do those who want to get ON the elevator not wait for people to get OFF of the elevator?
Because They Are More Important Than You.
It seems to me that common courtesy basically boils down to don't be a dick.
That probably explains why it's so uncommon.
"Not being a dick is its own reward"
//Elie Mystal
Maybe we need more communal spaces!
"France’s iconic bars-tabacs are closing in droves, stripping communities of a key social lifeline and influencing their politics, according to a study that links the decline of neighbourhood bars with the rise in support for the far-right National Rally."
https://www.france24.com/en/france/20260207-france-how-bar-tabac-closures-are-fuelling-le-pen-far-right-pubs
"The link between local pub closures and support for UKIP: I found that local decline contributes to a rise in support for radical-right political parties – and that the loss of local pubs plays a surprisingly important role in the shift."
https://theconversation.com/the-link-between-local-pub-closures-and-support-for-ukip-161032
This breaks my heart.
One of many things I loved traveling Europe in the early 70s was the bars. They were welcoming places, not dark, dingy dens of sin and denial. Kids were often welcome. There was laughter and food.
We used to have neighborhood taverns in America but those died, too. Many things to blame here, but Europe?
Sickens me.
I love these little dogs all dressed up for dog church
"Only a great fool or a great genius is likely to flout all social grace with impunity, and neither one in doing so makes the most comfortable companion." Stable Genius is a Great Fool and Grace Flouter and thus has 100% approval per CNN, so theory disproved!
The Golden Rule, replicated in various iterations in other religions, shows us that people have always needed to be reminded that courtesy ought to be more common. Manners and etiquette are more demanding and controlling expansions.
One thing is, though, you can read the Rule in reverse and treat assholes as they treat you.
Caturday mood:
Not now. We'll get to it later.
https://substack.com/@jtmailman/note/c-231154425?r=l3vaz
I can't stop laughing.
If this is how hard it is to restrain a food robot, we're fucked when it comes to military robots.
Thge aproln. I just can't with the f ucking apron. LMMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://apnews.com/video/staff-struggle-to-restrain-dancing-robot-6d957cf7d51442f1bea51eef63c44e67
They're looking at equipping those dog robots with guns to work in law enforcement, so there are now Youtube videos on how to disable or elude an armed robot dog cop.
Where in the hell is the "ON/OFF" switch, FFS?
They should have called ICE.
I fucking can't. I'm STILL laughing my ass off.
That dog photo reminds me of a visit to someone's house, where I found myself facing three small dogs barking and growling in front of me. After 20 minutes drinking coffee and talking while sitting on the couch I had a dog resting it's head on each leg and the third on top of the couch resting it's head on my shoulder.
Right nao, Birb is eating a protein bar for breakfast.
She is watching Fulham vs. Burnley in soccer on the tee vee.
She bids you all "Hello" with a polite trill of chirps.
Chirp in return. Glad you're having fun.
A thanke, nice lady.
Hello, Birb!
Henlo! Chirp chirp chirp. Wishing you the most funnest day! :) :) :)
I was very particular regarding the demonstration of good manners at our house when my girls were growing up. "Please" and "Thank you" were expected. Failure to do so meant being taken aside and gently corrected. Fortunately that was all that was required to correct rude or otherwise thoughtless, careless behavior that could offend.
I was very proud of my girls and their excellent manners. It was very gratifying when other people noticed and commented on how kind, helpful, or otherwise impressive the girls' behavior was in various social situations. The girls learned early on that how you will be treated depends entirely upon how you treat others.
Uue are a good person being. :)
I am a fervent admirer of Miss Manners. Courtesy lubricates the relations among us selfish oafs. Were it not for "common" courtesy we'd all just revert to being the boys in Lord of the Flies.
And we're getting there apace.
I'm more on the Amy Vanderbilt side - etiquette exists to make others comfortable.
My mother told us the story of my great aunt who was married to someone very high up in an international service organization. At a fancy dinner (in Argentina, I think) my great aunt saw a fingerbowl for the first time. So she drank from it. The hostess saw that, so she drank from hers too, rather than embarrass my great aunt.