Decency

“Thank you, Ma’am. Please, may I have a drink of water? I’m sorry, did I bump into you? Sir, did you know…?”


Holding the door open for the person following you; wiping up spills at the restaurant table or diner counter before you leave; smiling at strangers met in elevator; tipping my hat at women I pass on the sidewalk.


These and more are reminders of a polite and decent world I was raised in. Those were the 1940’s and ‘50’s. We continued using these manners through the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, too. In fact, I still use many of these behaviors today.


For those of us of an age, we recall these common manners of politeness. And decency. All the more reason why we are shocked by the callous manners of our surroundings. Impolite people hogging sidewalks, roadways and other public spaces. They act as though they have a right to all things at this very moment regardless of others in the same room. They speak loudly, guffaw, and demand attention from wait persons. They shout greetings to other friends upsetting the quiet of the public space.

Doors are not held open. People barge into elevators without allowing time for riders to exit. Public bathrooms are left in disarray and filth rather than tidying up after themselves. Litter is dropped on the public way as a common practice. Stony silence and face meet with strangers. No attempt to smile or greet others.


And then there is the public discussion of rape, racism, anti-immigrants, and other negatives too numerous to mention. The negative is focused on. Positive features of the day are left unmentioned.

This is the norm. We have slid into a misery of ill temper and indecency. Somehow it is the right of a person to display this attitude and behavior.


No wonder we have problems unattended. We are too busy finding fault than finding promise.


Can’t we simply agree that the world is not perfect, people are not perfect, and certainly, weather is not ideal most of the time?  Then, let’s just focus on what is good and a blessing. Use those resources to find common ground to actually invent solutions to common problems we agree need fixing.


Flip the coin. From indecent to decent; it is not impossible to do.


Be mindful of our blessings. They brighten and lighten our days – and nights. They hold promise of better things to come. The sorrows of today are often the foundation of tomorrow’s dreams. And an unfolding reality comes from such dreams.


May yours be bright and beautiful today!


That’s decency returning.


July 30, 2019