Bloody Courtesy

In business, in labor and service, there is implied courtesy – when someone goes above and beyond their expectations to ensure a positive experience. However, implied courtesy, when practiced and experienced enough becomes expected courtesy by the recipient. We have become a society of expected courtesy; a belief of instant entitlement. Our food should be fresh and hot seconds after we order it, instead of appreciating the culinary technique of the person preparing the meal. Students don’t feel or see the need to study; they should be allowed to pass to the next grade level just for showing up and putting a warm body in a chair. Answers to any of life’s questions are available at the push of a button at home and in our pockets, which is ironic because these tools – the cell phones and computers – those which were designed to communicate globally are the very same tools we use to ignore one another when we are at the same table, and expected courtesy has forced common courtesy into oblivion.

Hard work used to bring people together, uniting them for great purposes, whether it was cooking a meal, erecting a building, or scientific breakthroughs. Great things unified us, but now the only thing that seems to bond people is the aftermath of violence. The only reason anyone seems to remember to be kind to one another is because a large amount of people have died through nefarious acts.

Why does it take a bloodbath to remind us that it’s okay to be kind?

I wish I could say that as a whole there’s light at the end of this cold, selfish tunnel, but there isn’t, and I’m glad to be ignored these days.

 As individuals we can only control what is within our personal circle despite what the stagnant, robotic voice of our smart phone tells us, and for every person we perform an unselfish act for there will be five that will try to take advantage of that nicety. Courtesy is a double-edged sword. It’s up to the individual showing kindness to decide what they’re willing to do and what they’re willing to tolerate from those that would turn the act of a kind heart into bastard charity, but a public massacre shouldn’t be the reason that reminds us to be polite and respectful. It starts with good upbringing which in turn leads to common sense and hopefully, within your own circle, common courtesy.