I recently read a wonderful article by Fr. Jim Keenan of Boston College. The title "The Language of Civility" hints at a not so little demon that is chewing away at the edges of our culture, a lack of simple manners.
Look at the faces of many on the street. Hard. Ready to strike back. An obscenity is kept locked and loaded for any offense, real or imagined.
Democrats can't debate Republicans, and vice versa, without stooping to personal attack and lack of any good humor.
Even many of our youngsters who have all the advantages of instant communication, don't know how to speak in a civil and respectful way. But where did they learn this? From all of us.
Please and thank you. Opening doors for others. Offering a seat to others on public transport who could use a moment off their feet. Waiting for someone to finish speaking before I do. Saying hello and goodbye. Refraining from obscene and disrespectful speech. Never stooping to personal attack in a debate or discussion. Unless necessary, don't telephone before 9am or after 9pm.
Cell phones are the new medium of bad manners. Leave it on in the theater, church, school, or public gatherings. When eating with friends or family at a restaurant table, inflicting your phone conversations upon everyone, instead of excusing yourself and taking it in a more private area. Let's not even talk about cell phones in airports!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Civility and good manners simply acknowledge that I share this world with others and I am not the be all and end all. Humility in action and conversation doesn't mean becoming a milktoast. It means that I have a place in this world and so do others. I am not an island.
Read Fr. Keenans article. Please.
The Language of Civility by Fr. Jim Keenan, SJ
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