I am sitting on the bus, trying to keep warm. Bundled up in my heavy cargo fur jacket and on my way home. The bus stops at Red Square and a swarm of students load onto the bus. A girl standing next to me holding the rail above my head is asked by the older gentlemen sitting in front of me, “Would you like to sit?” she replies, “No.” Not a “Thank you anyways” or “No thank you.” Just flat out, no. Then I start to think, where are this girls manners? I have seen several encounters where I find myself thinking others are rude and mannerless. Is it society that has brought us to this? Or is it the parents fault for not raising their own child with the correct manners?
Growing up in a home where “Please” and “Thank you” were some of the first words I was taught, it is hard for me not let those phrases roll off my tongue after anything I say. Whether it be saying “Thank you” to someone holding a door open for me or a “May I have a tall non fat green tea latte please”. Those words only seem natural to me and when I seldomly forget to say these gracious words, I find myself going back to say them.
After that brief encounter on the bus, I start to look at the girl and forget about what was just said. I look at her worn Converse, cheap light washed jeans, and faux leather jacket. Judging by the looks of her appearance, maybe she wasn’t raised with great manners. But then, I start to think, am I the ill mannered one? Here I am so focused on how this girl did not say, “No thank you” and I am judging her entire upbringing by the clothes that she is wearing.
Manners are seen by everyone differently, I know I was raised with good ones, but maybe this girl was too. Manner’s do not have to do with just “Please” and “Thank you”(s), but also the judgement you pass on others. Maybe that is something that i’ll just have to work on….
