July, 2024
RIP
HERE LIES:
Common Sense and Manners
0000 - Today
Has anyone else noticed, what I perceive to be, the absence of common sense and manners? Lately, I have had the notion that these traits are becoming more and more uncommon. This notion was solidified to me with one simple, real world example I had recently. I was at our local grocery store, picking up some items for the evening's dinner, when I encountered someone standing in the middle of the aisle, with their shopping cart, effectively blocking the entire way. Plus, this person had their phone out and was having a loud conversation with the other party being in “speakerphone” mode, the volume turned up. I could easily hear both sides of the conversation in which one person was describing the crazy antics of one of their cousins, with the other person agreeing that they were, in fact, crazy antics.
An item that I needed was just on the other side of this person, so the only way to get to it was either back completely out of the aisle, go to the next aisle and go all the way around or, indicate to this person that I needed to get through. Being the logical person that I am, and that the shortest distance was to indicate that I needed to get through, that's what I did. What followed was a dirty look, scoffing, and an over-exaggerated effort given to move their cart, and themselves, out of the way. The phone conversation then continued with the ‘aisle blocker’ advising their counterpart how rude I was for interrupting them and making them move. They actually used a nasty word to describe me, that I cannot repeat here. I only wanted to get sugar and go home, so I ignored it all, got the sugar and left the aisle.
Somewhere along the way we have lost the idea that humility and service are characteristics for which we should all strive. Somewhere, we've decided that solipsism is the order of the day. I think I could point to several potential causes like: participation trophies, catering to everyone needing special accommodations for their very obscure and particular desires/needs, marketing that is focused solely on appealing to ego, broken homes, the prevalent use of insults and sarcasm to communicate … but, I think it goes much deeper than all of that. I think we have lost the identity of a communal soul. A single, unifying force to which we all agree to and work toward. Why do we only focus on the self, instead of doing and promoting what is best for all? Why do we all have to have our individual way? Why not politeness?
I am not sure of the answer here, short of the Lord returning and making all things right. As far as the Church goes, I know that something we can do is reflect upon, promote and practice characteristics like: Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. For the Christian, this should sound familiar as these are the Fruits of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5. Think about it. If all people in the world, (and yes, that means Church people too…,) practiced these nine ideals, what kind of world would we be living in?
So, yeah…not sure how to resurrect Common Sense and Manners. I guess to start with practicing abundantly, but how does that help those that need to learn and practice it? I can only imagine what would have happened if I had used the “aisle blocker” incident as a teachable moment.
~Pastor Sean