Editorial

Kenneth’s Voice Courtesy on decline
	Kenneth James

Whatever happened to cordiality, southern-grown hospitality and charm? It seems that—as a city— the more we grow, progress, and improve economically and socially, the more we lose the politeness and consideration for which we were once known.

Not long ago, on any given day, on any given street in our great metropolis, courtesy was in abundant supply. When the driver of the blue car would allow the driver of the red car to get in front of her, the driver of the red car would be grateful and would recognize this gesture by waving.

But now that free hand is no longer free to wave, because it’s clutching a double-latte Café Verona—or worse yet, a cell phone.

How did we let this happen? It’s not that the technological breakthrough of cell phones isn’t great, and I happen to love a good steaming cup of java; but how is it that we are too busy for niceness?

More often than not, people are prone to letting the door close even if you are seconds behind them, when just a few short years ago, they would have waited, graciously holding the door as you approached the door.

Recently, I came across a stein that bore the proclamation: “Too busy to be nice.” What a productive thought! (Forgive my facetiousness).

Even right here on our own campuses, I’ve witnessed T.B.F.N (too busy for niceness.) That’s right; FCCJ’s exemplary collection of brilliant intellectuals is not exempt from this epidemic of rudeness. What better way to prove my point than to segue into a prime (and colorful) example.

One evening, I took great effort to hold the door open for a fellow scholar whose hands were laden with important papers and thick textbooks; and in one hand was the dreaded cell phone. The person (who shall remain nameless) chatted away aimlessly on the cell phone, sliding past me without as much as a nod of appreciation; such a pity.

Now while this act didn’t ruin my otherwise pleasant day, it did rub me the wrong way. I thought, who does this person think he is? Is he a member of a royal family, and even if he is, should he not say ‘thank you’ when someone is thoughtful enough to help him?

Granted, this person didn’t ask me to hold the door for him, but isn’t that all the more reason why he should have thanked me?

I am not making mountains out of molehills, please believe me. But it is a basic skill taught in Manners 101 to say “please” and “thank you”. And there’s no need for sugary groveling or insincerity, either. A simple “thanks” gets the job done.

Perhaps you’ve had your own experiences dealing with people who are too busy to be nice. We need to share this insightful piece of information with them: It’s just as easy to be nice as it is to be rude!

Say “thanks” when someone catches a falling book for you, or lets you go ahead in line, or holds the door for you.

We should perpetuate kindness, especially with all the dire turbulence, violence and anger disrupting our world today.

I wonder if we can get the good folks in the graphics department to make a batch of t-shirts for us to remind us to take a moment to be nice to others. The shirts could read, “I’m not T.B.F.N”. What do you think?