Do we need rules of etiquette?
Look around and tell me things are fine just the way they are. Our streets are fine. Our restaurants are fine. Our schools are fine. Our golf courses are fine. I know. You know. And the whole world knows...things are not fine. Indeed, we have a lot of room for improvement. Our world and all the little worlds we live in are in need of a healthy dose of rules...rules of etiquette that is. I'm not talking Queen Elizabeth level rules, but, rather, levels of etiquette and manners that will allow for an enhanced level of common decency and common enjoyment of our lives.
Recently, I had the opportunity to stop by one of our world's famous fast food spots and sitting in the booth behind me were two young men, teenagers. Every third word out of their mouths started with the letter F and ended with the letter D...I stopped counting after 30 slams to my ears, got up and left. Why? How does this happen? What gives them the idea, the comfort to think that it is ok to use that kind of language in a public place? What I really wanted to do was turn around and pull them both by their ears into the restroom to wash their mouths out with soap...my Dad did that to me a couple times, and I believe it made a difference. But, instead, I just got up, gave them a strange look and left. Next time, maybe I will have a chat with them.
Every day I find new evidence of problems in the way people relate to one another. From people talking on their cell phones about their poor Aunt Louise while trying to find change in their purse to young men walking around with their pants hanging on their knees to cashiers concluding their transaction with me with a serious pop of the bubble gum in their open mouths. My sense is things are not just not fine...they are getting worse...and it worries me.
This is why I have decided to develop a website that is focused on exploring and promoting our society's diverse rules of etiquette. I believe there is a huge need for rules of etiquette and good behavior in our world. From dining to playing golf to driving down the road, we do indeed need rules of etiquette...more importantly, we need to learn and follow these rules for our mutual benefit and enjoyment of life.
Now, let me just say, I am not an etiquette expert and I have plenty of room for improvement so you won't get a holier than thou attitude from me. I am here to learn as well because we really are all in this together. And I believe that everything we do and everything we don't do sends a ripple out that affects everyone else. So I feel a sense of responsibilty, a sense of obligation to do the right thing, not just for my family and I, but for others as well...even others I do not, and may not ever know personally.
So, stay tuned to Rules of Etiquette and hopefully, together, we can find ways to learn, grow and make this wonderful world we live in an even better place for everyone to enjoy.
Joe Mizereck