MANNERS

MANNERS Manners matter materially in the lives and in the well-being of everyone: babies, infants, children, teens , adults, athletes, entertainers, fans, spouses , siblings, elders, families, public officials, employers, employees, customers, vendors, solicitors, police, preachers , teachers, clients, lenders, borrowers, servers, professionals, beggars, friends, neighbors, online , offline . The fact is manners describe our relationships with people. Manners are like lubrications, ball-bearings, cushions, heat , air conditioning. Manners feel. Manners feel . Manners feel . Manners are some of our earliest lessons that we learn at home. Saying “yes, no, yes ma’am , yessir, excuse me, thank you, I am sorry , forgive me, allow me, trust me, help me, congratulations, may I, how are you, how do you feel, condolences, etc. “ Manners are also doing right, behavioral codes, governing interactions. Manners address behaviors , like—speak when spoken to; don’t poke around in other people’s business; stay in your lane when driving; obey the law; observing table manners; dressing properly for special occasions; raising children properly to respect the persons and property of others; disciplining with deterrent love. “Home training” are manners. Parents know that a badly behaved child reflects directly back upon them, especially in school and church! Mothers cut their eyes sharply at disobedient children. Their eyes silently “you’d better straighten up and fly right!” Daddies glances glint “greetings.” In larger families, older siblings are trained early to be responsible for their younger siblings’ behaviors, manners, as well as remaining responsible for themselves to their parents , and to the younger ones. Manners are the cords that wrap us up in that “inextricable web of mutualities” that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr spoke eloquently of . We are here together. We must make the best of our being here together by observing “The Golden Rule”—“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Respect yourself . Respect others! Manners matter materially in our lives. Amen.