It's shocking to see how many people do not practice common courtesy. Not everyone is perfect, but there are some things that you should really keep in mind!
1. Chew with your mouth closed.
No, you were not raised in a barn, and no, you are not a cow. Your lips weren't just made for kissing! They also allow you to close your mouth when you chew. It's not funny to sound like you're chewing rocks. It's not cute when your mouth is smacking together and making tons of noises. Whether the people you are eating with say so or not, your loud or open-mouthed chewing is getting on their nerves. Save us all the excruciating pain and just keep your mouth closed and your food as quiet as possible.
2. Hold the door for the person behind and/or in front of you.
This one isn't just for the guys out there (although, they should really be the ones listening closest). If there is someone behind you, how hard is it to just hold the door for two more seconds until they can reach it? Even better, if you see someone with their hands full, help them out and just hold the door for them. We all know about that awkward distance where you aren't sure if they are too far away to hold the door for them or not. Unless you're in a rush, it really doesn't hurt to hold it anyways.
3. Don't bite your silverware when you eat.
This is simple and an easy fix. Your fork is not food. This is also another reason we have lips.
4. Don't use speaker phone unless you're alone or need to be hands-free.
I, along with many of you I'm sure, am so tired of being in the grocery store or Target and not being able to get away from that person who is blabbing to their friend about what they did that weekend. Be courteous and don't bother everyone within a five mile radius.
5. Cover your mouth (with your elbow!) when you cough or sneeze.
This one can be taught from a very young age, so moms and dads out there, start teaching your kids as soon as possible. It seems that everyone knows to cover their mouths, but I rarely see people actually cover their mouth with their elbow when they do it. Some people just act like germs can't travel and turn their heads, face down, or cough/sneeze on the person right beside them. We could prevent a lot of sicknesses with following this simple rule. Don't spread germs!
6. Say "please" and "thank you."
This is also another one that can be taught early. "Please" can make almost anything sound nicer. Saying "thank you" is so important because it lets the person know that whatever they did was appreciated. Everyone should feel appreciated for the things they do. They are just words, but they can mean a lot to someone.
7. Follow the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule says to "treat others how you would want to be treated." We all want to be treated with kindness and respect, so why can it be so hard to do this? With this mindset, we can start a chain reaction and improve the world we live in. Just try and think before you act.
I know this was more of a rant, but I hope that someone out there can take something away from this. We don't have to attend etiquette classes or anything too fancy, but minding your manners and having common courtesy are still important to some people in this world. Be polite, please!
