June 8, 2011 Wednesday: 7th Week of Easter (A)

Daily Courtesies

from A Book of Courtesy: The Art of Living With Yourself and Others  by Sister Mary Mercedes, OP

The power to gain friends may in great measure depend on a happy disposition, but the power to keep them depends largely on loyalty, genuine caring, and acceptance of differences, as well as personal habits of promptness, order, personal neatness, and cheerfulness. 

Promptness is a cardinal rule when dealing with others: the person who is late for appointments or keeps people waiting for meetings, classes, or meals is an annoyance and is saying in essence, "I don't care enough about you to be on time."

Personal habits reveal a person's character. A disorderly room reflects a lack of self-respect and organization; this applies to dress and cleanliness as well. The person with self-esteem is neat in his personal appearance, stands and sits up straight, and dresses appropriately for the occasion.

Cheerfulness and good spirits allow you to live with a positive attitude; no one enjoys a grumbler or a complainer. A positive outlook makes you a pleasant companion.  

There are times when even the best-intentioned person makes a mistake. Certain words help to ease the blunder: "I'm sorry," "It was my fault," or, "I beg your pardon." "Please excuse me" allows for a graceful exit before leaving the table, the room, or the situation. Saying "I beg your pardon" or "Excuse me" is a must when it is necessary to pass in front of another person to get to your seat at the theater and it is absolutely impossible to pass behind him.

Good manners depend on a basic knowledge of etiquette. Etiquette embraces the rituals and practices that speak to the question "What am I supposed to do?" During your lifetime the rules of etiquette may change, but courtesy and good manners will always be important.