"Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage is"
Theodore Roosevelt
This post is about the little things that are slowly leaving society. As technology continues to advance--and distract the public--it seems as though daily interactions between people are changing. Unfortunately, they are changing for the worse. Too often I see people with their head down and their eyes engulfed into a tiny screen as they walk by me. While I understand that checking your phone is important, is it really that important that you have to be on it 24/7? Are your messages so urgent that you can't even say hello to me--or anyone else--as we walk past you? This world would be an infinitely better place if we all just smiled and said hello to everyone that walks by us. It's one thing to be weird about it, but it's another to be sincere and take the little effort to smile and ask someone how their day has been. It's also a very rewarding experience to make someone a little happier than when you first saw them.
Another type of person that almost ceases to exist is one who holds doors for others. I'm not just talking about holding the door for a few girls that you think are attractive; I'm talking about holding the door for every person that you see regardless of their appearance or gender. I firmly believe in the 10 second rule: if a person is going to reach the door that I'm at in the next 10 seconds, I will be holding it for them. If you are unsure of how far away they are just do the right thing and stay at the door for a few extra seconds. This brings me to my next point: if you do see someone who is taking the extra effort to hold the door, make sure to thank them. In doing so more people will be inclined to follow the example and make the extra effort themselves, in turn making your community a much more enjoyable place.
My final point is in regards to eating with other people. At my lunch-table there is a rule that is (almost) never broken: every time you leave the table you must ask if anyone wants anything (i.e. water, food, napkin, etc.). This rule is one of my favorites, and I think it should be implemented by each and every table. First off it promotes face-to-face conversation with others (which is going out of style) and it also shows others that you are not just a selfish slob who eats a lot of food (OK maybe that only pertains to me). But,in complete seriousness,it does come off as an unselfish act and by taking the extra effort it goes a long way in displaying the tremendous character that you possess.
So remember the three keys to being loved by all: say hello, hold the door, and ask others what they want as you leave the table. Oh, and before I forget, my water is running kind of low...could you get me a refill?
Another type of person that almost ceases to exist is one who holds doors for others. I'm not just talking about holding the door for a few girls that you think are attractive; I'm talking about holding the door for every person that you see regardless of their appearance or gender. I firmly believe in the 10 second rule: if a person is going to reach the door that I'm at in the next 10 seconds, I will be holding it for them. If you are unsure of how far away they are just do the right thing and stay at the door for a few extra seconds. This brings me to my next point: if you do see someone who is taking the extra effort to hold the door, make sure to thank them. In doing so more people will be inclined to follow the example and make the extra effort themselves, in turn making your community a much more enjoyable place.
My final point is in regards to eating with other people. At my lunch-table there is a rule that is (almost) never broken: every time you leave the table you must ask if anyone wants anything (i.e. water, food, napkin, etc.). This rule is one of my favorites, and I think it should be implemented by each and every table. First off it promotes face-to-face conversation with others (which is going out of style) and it also shows others that you are not just a selfish slob who eats a lot of food (OK maybe that only pertains to me). But,in complete seriousness,it does come off as an unselfish act and by taking the extra effort it goes a long way in displaying the tremendous character that you possess.
So remember the three keys to being loved by all: say hello, hold the door, and ask others what they want as you leave the table. Oh, and before I forget, my water is running kind of low...could you get me a refill?
Thanks for reading ~ John Guerra
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