Hey Amy!

Nothing angers me more than persons who treat service professionals poorly. I live in a city that is full of service people–valets, child care givers, waiters, parking lot attendant, bus driver, car wash attendant, housekeepers, gardeners and the list goes on. I find it intolerable when I see people who mistreat these service workers. They are assisting you! Why would you ever want to disrespect them? I am on a manner tip today so I am posting again about behavior and what is not acceptable. Emily has quite a few things to say about this topic (as do I).

Only the lowest type of boor is rude to or inconsiderate of the people that serve him in restaurants, stores or any public places. It can safely be said that this sort of discourtesy is a sure sign of insecurity. Those who have self-confidence do not need to act in that way in an effort to prove themselves superior. Good manners and thoughtfulness are so much a part of their nature that they treat everyone with whom they come in contact with the same courtesy, whether there is anything to be gained by doing so or not.

Accordingly, it is insufferable to snap your fingers for the attention of waiters, make unreasonable demands of flight attendants, or be rude to anyone, whether a food server in a fast food restaurant or a gas station attendant, just because you aren’t being served as fast as you would like to be. Naturally, rudeness or insubordination on their part should be reported to the manager, just as super service should be remembered or commended. But very often it is someone else along the line who is responsible for delays and it is not only poor manners but also unfair to take out your displeasure on someone whose fault it most likely is not.

Another form of inconsiderateness is shown by people who go shopping ten minutes before closing time. These days many stores are open twelve or more hours a day; the salespeople have had a long day and have routine chores to do before they leave. The same is true of restaurant personnel who want to go home but cannot because of customers who linger well beyond closing time.

Is the customer always right? It would not seem likely. Unfailing patience and good temper are required of everyone in a service occupation, whereas there is nothing to restrain the ill humor or unreasonableness of a customer–except his or her good manners.

Kind, considerate behavior of all beings could very well be the best advice I will ever give you. Treat others as you wish you were always treated. Start a fire of courteous and kind behavior.

xo–me

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