Be Mindful Of Your Manners | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Be Mindful Of Your Manners

Etiquette shouldn't be a thing of the past.

26
Be Mindful Of Your Manners
Wolf & Iron

According to the words of Jill Bazeley of Merritt Island, Florida, noted in an article in Travel magazine, the “scruffy looking fellow… managed to deposit an unpleasant bounty of skin peelings on the cabin floor.” The appalling image evoked by these words nearly made me lose my lunch. Ms. Bazeley was commenting upon the unpleasantries of traveling by air and the misfortune of having been seated next to a person who had made the inappropriate choice to groom himself mid-flight. This crude indiscretion is no doubt repeated over and over when unsuspecting airplane travelers head off to summer vacation spots, return home from college, or visit exotic locales, and find in doing so they must first contend with rude fellow travelers. Unfortunately, it is not just airplane passengers who are overstepping the bounds of socially acceptable behavior in increasing numbers and in progressively novel and disagreeable ways.

Having had both a secular and religious schooling, I am familiar with a faith-based perspective when it comes to civility. According to Judaic principles, etiquette and ethical behavior are fundamental to living a fulfilling and worthy life. Judaic tradition teaches the notion of derekh eretz, translated to mean “the way of the world,” and understood to represent a code of proper behavior. Young and old alike are praised for functioning with decorum, with the Yiddish term mensch, from the German for “man,” characterizing admirable and decent individuals who display integrity, kindness, compassion and honor. A good life also includes the concept of the mitzvah, that is, a good deed performed in response to divine command.

I fear that the entire notion of etiquette has diminished in the minds of many people. Its importance is paramount, because etiquette not only provides a guide for communicating with and behaving towards one’s fellow man, but also serves as a daily reminder that a moral compass is imperative in order to respect one another and share common values. Yet, what often trumps thinking about the importance of other people is the “me first” phenomena, which includes physically intrusive acts that demonstrate a lack of etiquette, such as playing excessively loud music while your roommate is trying to study, acts which reflect a deliberate message that others are “invisible,” such as refusing to hold a door open for a person entering a room behind you, and, of course, acts which suggest that it is appropriate to act in public precisely as one would in the privacy of his or her home, clearly epitomized by the aforementioned foot groomer, or by individuals who see nothing wrong with brushing their hair as they wait for their Starbucks order.

The need for etiquette and respect for others is vital in the public space environment and especially in tight quarters of air travel. I urge you to take your hat off next time you enter a restaurant, write a thank-you note for any gift you receive, and put your shopping cart back where it belongs.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

941
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

567
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

199657
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20556
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments