Manners, Have They Gone Out of Style?

Excuse Me Ma'am

Manners, Have They Gone Out of Style?

Written By: Jayi Kemp

Follow Me @Jayikemp on Twitter!!!

Being that I am 27 I am not going to front or even perp like I respect every individual that comes within arm range of me, but I will say this, I was taught to mind my elders and be polite in general. So basically I have taken the stance that I will respect people as long as they respect me and that I will be courteous and show “decency” to those who surround me while I am in the public.

However I have notice that a lot of people that I have come into contact with as of lately do not even exhibit that!!! Which makes me wonder, have manners died? I went to Burlington last weekend to purchase a sweat suit for my trip to the zoo and as I approach the check out I spoke to the cashier, and unconsciously (I Believe) got an auto – pilot answer from the sales associate, that not only offended me, but stereotype me as well, she responded to my hello with; “Layaway or Return”.

I don’t know if she was exhausted from her work day, or had seen enough black people for 1 shift but her words cut me deep, and as I informed her I simply want to purchase my items  she begun to change her unkind glares and offer my child some candy, but the damage was done, I was not rude to her but I did place my cash on the counter top instead of her hand and inform her I had no phone while talking on my cell phone to show her I was not happy with her.

Manners are manners, I believe manners are a reflection of one’s core values, being that I have been in the service industry for many years and the fact that I constantly deal with new people being that I am a photographer, I could not, and cannot imagine retaining any business with anyone having a off moment where I allow myself to disrespect them or unintentionally/ intentionally say something that might ruffle their feathers, that would be career suicide!

Bottom line, I wonder about people and not just my culture, where are we heading if we lose grip on politeness? I have 2 young daughters that I am co-raising and I am training them to be women, have respect, show manners, and be good examples as what to do and what not to do. But if we are living in a society that no-longer values respect, manners, please and thank you, then what am I doing, I don’t want to ambush my children and set them up for a society, that just don’t give a damn about manners no more, so that’s why I ask this question to you. Do manners still exist and if so are you doing your part to make sure are children are better than the examples set forth today?