I can remember when people took pride in being courteous to each other. When I was a teenager I opened doors for female members of the family and I remember they thanked me with a smile.
While walking on the sidewalk with a girl it was proper to be nearest the flow of traffic.
Yes sir, no sir, no ma’am, yes ma’am are dying courtesies in our society.
I enjoy being around courteous people. It was pure delight to walk into the Lilburn Police station and find Capt. Mike Johnson sitting erect. He said, “Good morning, sir.” I noticed his posture.
I felt the same admiration when meeting Lilburn Police Chief Bruce Hedley. There’s something extra impressive about former military people.
I said, “You’re ex-military, right?
“Yes, sir," he said. It was crisp, and sincere. I half-expected him to stand to attention and salute.
We had previously discussed conducting seminars to advise seniors on how to avoid scams and maintain safety at home. Even with a big disparity in our ages I felt at ease with him.
“Were you in the service?” he asked.
“Yes, sir, U. S. Navy, World War II.” I was equally crisp. I may have overdone it a little, but it felt good.
What great days those were when people were courteous and made you feel good.
Boot camp was a learning experience. After a few days I was saying, “Yes, sir and no, sir” to everyone I met and found myself saluting both officers and raw recruits.
On my leave after boot camp I returned to the farm and saluted my grandfather and grandmother. I even saluted my horse before mounting.
I had saluted the Greyhound bus driver when I disembarked at the intersection.
I wonder what happened to the Golden Rule, which had been around since 1400 B. C. It first was found written in Leviticus. The first guideline for civil accord seems to be faltering.
I am old fashioned. I refuse to chat, blog, tweet or text. When writing a column on my computer I feel like a puppet being jerked around by faceless strangers. I don’t want to be lured into anything.
I am learning to say thank you now to everyone who speaks a language other than English. It’s amazing how many smiles I receive from total strangers. I am up to 30 already.
Courtesies seem to be on the way out. When asked why I do that, I explained it was because no one else had done it and the challenge keeps my mind activated. The older we get the more we need our brain stimulated.
People can voice discontent, but cultural diversity is an irreversible fact of life. Saying obrigado causes those of Portuguese descent to smile.
The more tainted America’s language has become the more desperately we need to restore: Yes, sir. No, sir. Yes, ma'am. No, ma'am. Please, excuse me. Pardon me. Thank you.
For a nation once considered the beacon of hope for others in a troubled world we are becoming a nation of clods. Discourtesy demeans culture.
Bill York has lived in Stone Mountain for 35 years. Reach him at sioux2222@gmail.com.
