A Simple Thank You. {Mind Your Manners Thursday}

I believe our society has turned it's back on manners.  That is one reason I love living in the south and raising my son in the south.  I know plenty of people in other regions of the USA that have a fantastic appreciation for good manners, so that was not a slam on them, but traditionally the southern states are more strict with their teaching and enforcing of good manners.  This Thursday topic will visit a few different areas of etiquette to serve as a reminder for us to be intentional with our words and actions.  There will also be some on things that seem old fashioned to some or irrelevant to others (how to shake some one's hand, table manners, how to set a table) but you don't have to read those days :).  I hope you'll join me for a walk down etiquette road.

I thought today we would start out with the most basic and most important gesture in our society.  A simple "Thank you".  It takes very little effort and it produces such a positive feeling between you and the person with whom you are speaking.  This beautiful phrase can be learned and applied by the youngest members of society to the oldest.  It is not a phrase that is geared to give someone the power or to insult.  It can be used very inappropriately and sarcastically, but in its purest form, "Thank you" is the gift that keeps on giving.

I was talking with some girls from my bunco group, the other night, about how terrible we are at taking a compliment.  When a guest tells you, "Your home looks beautiful" or a friend says, "I love your haircut", what do you usually say?  Is it something like, "Oh, it's not as nice as I would like it", or "I didn't really have time to fix it today"?  This is because we are so afraid of sounding arrogant or like we expect for them to compliment us.  Why is it so hard to say "Thank you"?  We are called to be gracious people and part of that is being thankful when someone tells us they approve of us.  I believe our society tells us that we are not special.  The media is constantly surrounding us (I'm speaking for women) with females who appear perfect.  Perfect figure, perfect house, perfect cook, perfect skin, perfect children, perfect wardrobe, perfect...perfect...perfect!  News flash:  we're never going to be perfect.  So why don't we celebrate our small achievements.  If we make a delicious meal, say "Thank you!".  If we pick out an outfit that is flattering and matches our shoes, say "Thank you!"

A friend of mine had this as her status on facebook;

A real woman always keeps her house clean and organized, the laundry basket is always empty. She's always well dressed, hair done. She never swears, behaves gracefully in all situations and all circumstances. She has more than enough patience to take care of her family, always has a smile on her lips, and a kind word for everyone. Post this as your status if you, too, suspect that you might be a man. :)

At first I was very depressed.  My dream is to be June Cleaver, with a thriving photography career.  But when I read the last line, it brought a smile to my face.

Another reason I feel it is so important for we, the adults to remember our "Thank you"s, is because of all of the little tykes who are watching your every move.  I had a girl tell me once that her 3 year old didn't know what it meant to say "Thank you", so she didn't enforce it.  I completely disagree.  I tell Jack to say "Thank you" when some one gives him a compliment.  Can he say that?  No.  Does he know what it means?  No.  Will he develop a habit over time?  Yes.  Will he eventually understand why he is saying it?  I sure hope so.  One of the most frustrating things I dealt with during my student teaching was teenagers not saying "Thank you".  I drilled that lesson home every day.

I could go on and on, so I will stop here.  As you go though out your day, let's just try and remember to say "Thank you" if someone holds the door open, gives you a compliment, to the checker at the grocery store, even waving in your rear view mirror to the person who lets you into the busy line of traffic.

Thank you for reading :)

P.S.

I'll have another post completely devoted to the art of a Thank You note.  Something I wish I was better at.