In praise of those with good manners

By Frederick D. Massie

Friends, I come not to bury the unmannered (would that I could) but to praise their counterparts.

Nowadays, it is increasingly difficult to find folks who practice good manners. However, in the spirit of the holiday season, let us now give thanks to those who see beyond their own wants, needs and cell phones, and demonstrate their humanity through uncommon courtesy.

Let us:

― Hail those who, when walking, running, bicycling, rollerblading, skipping, strolling, or otherwise perambulating, in groups of two or more, move aside or form a single line at the approach of others, allowing the uninterrupted passage of their fellow travelers.

― Laud those who, when breaking bread with friends, family, business associates or any others, pay attention to their tablemates and engage in conversation, without once checking or playing with their handheld electronic communication devices, above or below the table.

― Commend those who, knowing their four-legged friends have a predilection to threaten or bark at unfamiliar souls, take leash in hand, curb and speak firmly but softly to their beasties, sparing us from unpleasant encounters of the furry kind. Did I mention thanking those who do not leave their canines unattended, to shred their neighbors' ears with a litany of barks, yelps and howls?

― Admire those who drive their cars with minds and eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, forswearing the need to apply eyeliner whilst traveling at high speed. And, along those same white lines, acknowledging those who let all beeping text messages go unanswered until they turn off the ignition.

― Honor those who hold open doors for others entering immediately behind them. Ditto for those in empty elevators whose quick hands, restraining automatic portals to accommodate our late arrival, evince a welcome glimpse of humanity.

― Congratulate those who take off their hats, whether worn at an angle or backwards, or whatever, when having a meal at any fine dining establishment.

And, while we are here, further extend our solicitations to those who recognize that sweatpants, sweatshirts and other undergarments such as sleeveless T-shirts or underpants creeping into view are inappropriate garb for most, if not all, public social occasions outside the gymnasium.

― Recognize those who allow sufficient space between their large internal-combustion engines and pedestrians and bicyclists sharing space with them on sidewalk-less local roads. With special recognition for those who actually drop their speed to something akin to, or less than, the posted limit.

― Applaud those who move a reasonable distance away from others when having personal cell-phone conversations in public places such as airport terminal gates and restaurants.

Yes, for our short span of togetherness on this earth, let us offer hosannas to those who, through their uncommon courtesy, remind us of the best of who we are, and, perhaps even more importantly, the best that we can be.

Frederick D. Massie is a writer living in Warren, R.I. The article was published by the Providence Journal and distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.