Uncommon Courtesy

Manners are important. Common courtesy is important. Especially to parents.

It’s gratifying when your kids display those traits, especially toddlers, since they are sociopaths. Nothing makes me more proud than when my son answers someone’s “Thank you,” with “You’re welcome,” or when he deploys an “excuse me” as he squeezes past someone on the stairs.

We stress that kind of simple politeness for a few reasons. For one thing, it’s a simple way to display our parenting skills. If your kid is polite, people automatically assume you’re doing something right. For another, we operate under the assumption that ingraining good manners into children at an early age will make it stick.

But does it?

I’m gonna have to say no.

Because despite how obnoxious and out of control and rude and selfish my toddler often is, he’s often more polite than most adults I encounter, including Yours Truly. At least my toddler has an excuse for those times that he behaves badly: he’s a toddler. What’s ours? common courtesy, good manners, politeness, civil society, parenting, family, toddlers, kids, lessons, teaching, dads, toddlers, job search, adulthood

Despite having been taught to as a child, my wife rarely says “bless you” after I sneeze. It’s one of the reasons for our eventual divorce. Despite having been taught to say “you’re welcome” as a child, I still say, “no problem” or “no worries” more often. It’s one of the reasons people think I like Jack Johnson.

The list goes on and on, for all of us. You didn’t hold the door open for me as I walked in behind you; I didn’t send you a thank you note for the gift you gave my son; she never returned her phone call like she promised she would; he didn’t stand up to offer the pregnant lady a seat on the subway. These are all offenses of varying severity, and, unless you’re the pregnant lady, not really a big deal when taken on an individual basis. But societally, it’s death by a thousand cuts.

There’s one example of this that really rankles me. I’ve been looking for a job recently (HIRE ME!), and after being away from the 9-5 world to stay at home with my son for a year, I am often forced to step out of my comfort zone and take some chances to find opportunities. I’ve reached out to friends for networking help (thanks everyone!), worked with my wife to rearrange our tricky childcare schedule so I could visit with potential employers (thanks honey!), and even traveled out-of-state, on my own dime, to chase a position or two. I have little gratitude for them.

I’m not complaining about not being hired, no one gets every position they put in for. And I’m certainly not trying to put the burden of my job hunt on any of the companies to which I’ve applied. Job hunting is tough, and it’s the nature of the beast these days to have to jump through a lot of hoops to land a good position. Not only do I understand that, I have been more than willing to take a gamble and put some money down to chase even the dimmest glimmer of a potential opportunity, and I will continue to be. I just wish these companies put as much effort into being decent as I have into being noticed. Instead, after following up and reaching out and sending thank yous, I get: silence.

No one likes to get rejected. No one likes to get that phone call or that email explaining that you didn’t make the cut. But it can be even worse to be ignored. Aren’t I entitled to some kind of response? Couldn’t I at least get a “thanks but no thanks”? Most of the time I’d be happy if someone from Human Resources dropped their business card and a flaming bag of dog poop on my door and rang the doorbell. At least then I’d know!

In the old days, by which I mean the prehistoric times of ten years ago, if you went in for a job interview and hadn’t heard anything back, nine times out of ten a rejection letter would be in the mail, in transit. The actual mail. These days, snail mail is obsolete, so when you don’t hear from HR after two or three weeks, odds are you never will. Even if you bought a round-trip plane ticket to attend the interview.

Nowadays it’s the exception, not the rule, to actually hear something back after an unsuccessful job interview. It’s so rare that it’s almost a bonus when you actually do get rejected! One less thing to stress out over or foolishly hang onto some hope about. Because if you haven’t heard yet, there’s always a chance they are still considering you, right? How could you know? I once got a job two months after my interview. It happens. But not often. Usually the people you interviewed with have chosen not to follow up.

We sit here and we raise our kids to be polite. We impress upon them the importance of manners. We train them to bless someone when they sneeze; to say excuse me when they burp; to offer to share their food and their toys; to thank people for their kindness and their generosity, even for their time. We force them to do it over and over because we want it to become habit; instinct.

trump, rape culture, victim blaming, shaming, women, gender, politics, flag, hillary, parenting, dad and buried, parenthood, president, election, locker room talk, billy bushWe want our children to be nice, polite, courteous people who do those things because we appreciate those things ourselves. As adults we know how satisfying it is when someone is apologizes for stepping on your foot while you’re in line at Starbucks, or when you let someone merge into traffic and get that special wave of gratitude, or when a stranger opens the door for you so you don’t have to set down those boxes. Those little moments make a big difference, because they’re so rare. Increasingly rare. So we teach our kids to display some common courtesy, then we drop them off at daycare and we go out into the real world and ignore our own advice. Then when we get slighted, we wonder, “whatever happened to a little basic decency?”

Kids are smart. We can lie to them all we want about Santa Claus, but eventually they’ll figure out that it’s just Mom and Dad smuggling the presents under the tree. They see our actions betraying our words and they realize that all that talk about Kris Kringle is just lip service; they realize Santa is just a nice fairy tale parents use to get children to be better people.

The same goes for good manners. They are helpful tools for raising well-behaved kids, and they are very important to us.

Until we grow up.


Print page

64 thoughts on “Uncommon Courtesy

  1. I can totally relate to the struggle of instilling good manners in kids. It’s funny how sometimes they exhibit better courtesy than us adults! Do you think politeness is a reflection of good parenting, or are there other factors at play?

  2. Five Nights At Freddy’s has maintained the position of leading horror game in the genre over the past decade. This series of battle royale games maintains the player’s engagement by progressively increasing the level of peril over time. Let us examine the renowned game title. FNAF Unblocked is a survival horror game crafted with straightforward gameplay.

  3. This series of battle royale games maintains the player’s engagement by progressively increasing the level of peril over time. Let us examine the renowned game title. FNAF Unblocked is a survival horror game crafted with straightforward gamepl

  4. I absolutely loved your insights on courtesy! It reminded me of a time when my son surprised a stranger by holding the door open at the mall. Simple acts make such a difference!

  5. The point about ingraining good habits early really resonates with me. We take the same approach with home maintenance, starting kids early on basic hvac repair awareness so small problems do not turn into expensive ones. It mirrors what you said about habits sticking when you teach them young.

  6. I loved your thoughts about civility! It reminded me of a time when my son startled a stranger in the mall by holding the door open. Simple deeds can make a huge effect!

  7. Space Waves has basic but hard and engaging gameplay. Control an autonomous wave through a stunning space tunnel. Your goal is to dodge spikes, floating blocks, gears, slopes, and walls. Even a little mistake can force a restart.

  8. I appreciate your insights on courtesy in parenting—especially how little gestures matter. Have you found that teaching kids these values has impacted their friendships? Also, have you checked out resources like https://sloperun2.io for more community engagement tips?

  9. Backbiome is an advanced daily wellness supplement formulated to help support spinal comfort, reduce feelings of built-up tension, and promote freer, smoother movement throughout backbiome everyday life.

  10. I laughed at the “toddler sociopaths” line because it’s terrifyingly accurate. The comparison between toddlers having an excuse for bad behavior while adults don’t really hit home. My kid says “please” and “thank you” more consistently than most of my coworkers do. On a side note, I’ve found LiveBalls really useful lately for following live sports scores and match updates.

  11. In Love Tester, players can choose from a variety of fun and humorous questions, each offering unique and unexpected experiences. The game goes beyond simply testing compatibility; it also creates moments of fun and entertainment.

  12. I love your take on courtesy! How do you think teaching kids about kindness can shape their understanding of empathy as adults? It’s so vital, especially when navigating online spaces like blumgi slime.

  13. Striper dioxie bubbles199mm aduilt pornBlachk ssex seex vjdeo xxVerry yooung blpow jobSexy hunks photosBuilding penetrationPorn with ouut joiningSwinggers heavanCoock aand baol tortre whereSpknge boob gay video
    watchZoeey zzne fuckingJapan teenn nakedCalifornnia bikiniAdult sex forumPre bloneie sexBreaast nervesSisy sexx moviesHot girs getibg fuked and moaningFaciial lader treatment inn torontoHtto latinjo gay menCalifornia exotics female
    vibratorFreee webca pofn of gurls masterbaitingFreee submited blowjobsHomemade chicken strip
    recipesJennifer lopeez nakjed comPornsar frrom jjp stevens edison njWeet
    wwild bikinisNaaked karen ramsayMilff ffree trailerHoow to eatt a pussyy sizzlePorrn teen massacareInternational adult litracy
    survvey 1997Stydent ssex parties fre photoo galleryFreee cross dressders xxxNakjed teenagees having sexDido filled
    vaginaEsdort danica

    Chek oout mmy bpog post … relatos eroticos con audio

  14. Striper lip pistol oa-93Vintage liibbey glassTeeen transexcuals poiwered bby
    phpbbVijtage wagfle ion harkerAsiaa livve ccam sexSupermarket adul gameNudde polariodFucck lazdy likie oldTorrednt kiktty scary hairyGays rkver uraniumBreas caqncer awaeness posterKatarina wtt hardcoreMai’s breasts fatal
    furySexx africasn galleryNuude wsather gjrl videoTeen court ssanta mariaBoyy gjrl
    fuckBooob vids monkeyHott pusssy getting pumpedOnlyy fat back sexBig iss biig
    porn

    Alsoo visit myy bloog pot jablex.com

  15. I love how you highlighted the importance of common courtesy! It’s surprising how simple actions can really shift our interactions. Speaking of patience, ever try managing that in a game like Cookie Clicker? It’s a fun exercise in restraint!

  16. Great points about the importance of manners and the irony of adults not always practicing what they preach. It’s fascinating how societal norms can sometimes feel like a moving target. Speaking of targets, if you’re looking for a fun and challenging way to pass the time, check out Poople. It’s a daily word ladder game where you transform one word into another, one letter at a time. No sign-up required—just open the site and start playing. It’s a great way to exercise your brain and maybe even learn a new word or two!

  17. It’s fascinating how manners and courtesy can sometimes be more prevalent in our children than in adults. While we strive to teach our kids these values, it’s clear that many of us fall short in our own practices. This got me thinking about how we can apply similar principles in other areas of life, such as online engagement. Just as a simple “thank you” can go a long way, acknowledging others’ efforts and contributions can make a significant difference.

    In the context of job hunting, it’s true that a simple acknowledgment or feedback can make a candidate feel valued and appreciated. Similarly, in the digital age, recognizing and sharing content can help build communities and foster goodwill.

    If you’re looking to amplify your message or create engaging content, consider checking out VIRAL VIDEO CLONE. It’s a tool that allows you to transform trending videos into your own unique content, helping you reach a wider audience while maintaining authenticity.

  18. Great points about the importance of manners and how they reflect on us as parents and individuals. It’s interesting to see how societal norms have changed over the years, especially in professional settings like job hunting. While politeness and courtesy are crucial, it’s also essential to have effective communication, especially in today’s fast-paced digital world. If you’re looking to make a strong impression in other areas, consider leveraging tools like VIRAL VIDEO CLONE to create engaging and shareable content that can help you stand out.

  19. It’s actually a cool and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

  20. Great reminder about how manners really do reflect well on parenting! My son still forgets to say please and thank you sometimes, but the article totally resonates with me. Teaching kids to say “excuse me” and “you’re welcome” seems so simple but it makes such a difference. And I love the honest humor about toddlers being little sociopaths. Thanks for the laugh and the thoughtful perspective, Dad and Buried! muse video generator

  21. Hello there I am so delighted I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was researching on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say cheers for a tremendous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the great work.

  22. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!

  23. I don’t even know how I finished up here, but I believed this publish used to be great. I don’t recognise who you might be but certainly you are going to a well-known blogger when you are not already 😉 Cheers!

  24. With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement? My site has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my agreement. Do you know any solutions to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  25. Today, I went to the beach front with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!

  26. Once I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any approach you’ll be able to remove me from that service? Thanks!

  27. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all folks you actually understand what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also discuss with my website =). We will have a link exchange contract among us!

  28. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before. So good to find someone with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this web site is something that’s wanted on the internet, somebody with somewhat originality. helpful job for bringing something new to the web!

  29. I do like the way you have presented this particular difficulty plus it does indeed supply me some fodder for thought. However, coming from what I have personally seen, I only wish when the actual reviews pile on that individuals stay on issue and not start on a tirade associated with some other news du jour. All the same, thank you for this excellent point and although I can not necessarily agree with the idea in totality, I value the point of view.

  30. I think this web site contains some very superb info for everyone. “Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils but present evils triumph over it.” by La Rochefoucauld.

  31. I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.

  32. Someone necessarily help to make severely posts I would state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and to this point? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual put up incredible. Magnificent process!

  33. Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.