After writing a column about simple courtesies disappearing from contemporary society I was deluged with responses from readers who have detected the same enigma. One e-mail stated that the courtesies “please” and “thank you” flow naturally in their family conversations.
All of the e-mails bemoan the changes that have occurred in the areas of courtesy and respect for the peace of mind of others. Collectively, they’re convinced the Old Golden Rule has been forgotten.
I’m offended when a car pulls alongside with deafening music thundering from open windows. I have begun to think the racket is intended as a demonstration of contempt. On occasion, I have opened my windows and turned the volume as high as it will go. I play Lenny Dee on the organ and Dick Contino on his accordion, blasting out the “Beer Barrel Polka.”
I am infuriated when a car hangs near my rear bumper when I am driving the speed limit. I know that there may be instances of emergencies necessitating faster speed but flicking headlights and blowing horns plus hand signals, other than a raised fist or middle finger salute, will indicate the urgency, and I will get out of the way.
I sat through an unnerving episode in a restaurant recently when a customer returned his sausage and biscuit sandwich complaining that the sausage was small. The waitress apologized profusely and offered the man a replacement with an extra sausage. He was on a tirade, determined to make someone’s life unhappy. I noticed the girl was near tears.
When the man continued the abuse the fry-cook came from behind the counter. He stared at the irate customer. “Do not come back,” he said. The muscular fry-cook owned the restaurant. A cheer went up.
Bleeping profane words on television does not hide the filthy intent of the producer. It indicates disregard for the people who are considerate of one another. Nudity has permeated programs on television and in the movies. Pornographers are swamping the Internet. Filth promoters market decadence. Faceless creatures, disguised as humans, have sullied online.
Entertainment has been usurped by vapid violence. Commercials, touching on our most intimate physical dilemmas, are grossly offensive.
Alcohol and illegal drugs are taking a lethal toll on our civilization. Promotion by breweries and distillers, falsifying the cultural benefit of partying, add to the burgeoning decay in America. Our bungled economy is fermenting animosity.
I have enjoyed my numerous trips canoeing isolated rivers in Canada. Peace and quiet prevail in the wilderness. I am rarely in danger in the outback. The animals and I respect our individuality, and as long as I don’t pose a danger to their young they generally keep their distance.
Out of all the wolverines, bears and wolves I have encountered, only once did I need to take action to save my companion from injury or death.
The average life-span of prior civilizations was 220 years. Societies more powerful in their time than we are now fragmented morally, were sabotaged from within, and disappeared in the annals of history.
We have survived 15 years beyond expectancy. Think of the Aztecs, Incans, Mayans, Attila, Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire.
Ignoring reality can be fatal.
Bill York lives in Stone Mountain. Reach him at sioux2222@gmail.com. Rick Badie’s column resumes next Saturday.
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