In this picture the mouse is traversing the obstacle course on the rafters, saying, “Why Didn’t I think of this before”? This is a great metaphor for the topic today, What happened to good manners? There was a time when thank you cards were expected, answering with an RSVP for eventes was the norm, responding to job applicants in a timely manner was done every time. What are the influences of social media on Good manners? Are we more likely to be rude and inconsiderate if the other person is only a picture and text on our phone or laptop? Even if we are class mates, or collegues, we often communicate with texts and emails. I remember in the work place sending emails to someone literally in the same room, rather than walking 10 feet to have a conversation.
How do we define good manners in todays society? The past few months my experience has been most aggrevating as several people have not responded to legitimate communications. To be fair, having been overwhelmed with a cascade of emails, face book, and social media communications, I’m sure that there a people that haven’t heard from me too.
How do we respond? For me my frustration, anger and RSD leads to snappiness or angry responses, or often just shutting down and shutting people out of my life. I wonder if this has been fruitfull? Of course the answer is sometimes it’s nice to isolate, but really loving people and having peace of mind is a better idea.
By legitimate, I mean job applications, requests for information, inquiries to non profits to volunteer and other things that are important, at least from my point of view. How do we discern what is important and what is trivial? Should we send Birthday cards, Christmas card and letters, when a text email or social media post communicates as clearly? I wonder, can we incorporate thank yous, polite conversation and clearly communicating in these platforms? Can we send thank you responses? Yes Can we reconsider an angry, biassed post online or with an email? Yes…. the list is endless
For me, the goal is to define my intentions and expectations . My decision is to choose compassion, caring and kindness every time I communicate. Wow that is a difficult goal, isn’t it, Kindness, compassion, caring and loving, everytime? My elders, parents, grandparents, and others have been telling me this my whole life. Maybe it’s time to step up and be the example for others. What do you think, “Can’t we all just get along”.
Can you share some examples of how we can express kindness, compassion and caring in our lives?
Good Manners are still out there in the social media, email, electronic world, we just have to embrace kindness, love, caring and understanding when we communicate. Next time we post, let’s think, “What are my intentions? Is this caring, kind, and compassionate?” If not, rethink and repost your response, please especially on socail media.
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