Folks lack manners

It appears to me that at this time of holiday merriment and good cheer and good will to all, many of us need to reflect on the definition of what it is to have manners. I take public transportation a lot and am a college student in the Spokane area, as well as employed three-quarters time.

By definition I am to understand manners as: to treat other people with politeness and to behave respectfully in public; to behave in a courteous manner. I feel this definition is quite adequate. Good manners is about considering the feelings of other people and being the kind of person that others will like and respect. In the “olden days,” children were taught about the Golden Rule: “Always do to others as you would wish them to do to you.”

Where did that concept go? This is still a first-class way to conduct yourself now. If you are courteous to others, then you are more likely to be treated with respect by them. If you show fine manners the world over as you go, then you are more expected to promote others to act in the same way toward you.

Theresa Osterhaus

Spokane