Please...

I was going to post a really long blog, detailing all the ways people are lacking in manners these days, but since the last two blogs were kind of long, I'll make this one a lot shorter than originally intended.

I have this (odd, to some people, apparently) belief that everyone should use proper manners. I'm not talking about which fork to use or where your napkin goes when eating... I'm just asking for more than what the general public has deemed necessary.

Manners are much more than "please" and "thank you". You can blame how you were raised (or, really, how you WEREN'T raised), but your actions, good & bad, are made by you, and you alone. As a child, it IS your parents' responsibility to raise you to have manners, but once you become an adult, you're on your own.

So, with that in mind, here are just a few rules of society that will help you get further in life (job, school, friends, SOs, etc):
1. "Yes, please" and "no, thank you" are proper answers when asked questions by your elders; even better if you use them with everyone you come across.
2. Hold doors open for those behind you; say thank you to those who hold the door open for you.
3. Leave yourself extra time to get to & from places (like work &/or appointments). That way, there is no need to speed, cut people off, tailgate, and otherwise make other drivers mad at you. Road rage is not a good look on anyone.
4. When you call someone (whether it's a home phone, a cell phone, or a place of business), leave a brief message; clearly stating who you are, whom you're calling, and the best way/time/number to call you back. Don't keep calling back; one message will do.
5. Periodically ask your family (parents, siblings, kids, SOs, etc) what you can do that would make their lives a little bit easier. Bonus points if you already know, and just do them without asking.

I know this is a very short list, but I mostly posted this so that you pay more attention to others in your life; whether you like them or not, &/or know them well or not at all... I totally believe in Karma, and even if you don't, doing nice things for people & using your manners could very well completely change a person's outlook.