We Do Unto

Today’s date is August 18, 2017. On human societies’ trail of Charlottesville and Barcelona, I wish to bring to mind another side of human behavior that has glued societies together throughout history. I’m talking about Common Courtesy, Manners and Chivalry. In other words, quoting Dr. P. M. Forni, Choosing Civility, The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct.   “Consideration is imagination on a moral track.”

Participants in his John Hopkins Civility Project workshops have used the following words to describe what civility means to them.

Respect for others                Community service                        Care

Tact                                         Consideration                                  Equality

Courtesy                                 Sincerity                                           Golden Rule

Morality                                 Respect for other’s feelings           Honesty

Niceness                                 Awareness                                        Politeness                                                                                

Trustworthiness                    Maturity                                          Table manners

Kindness                                  Moderation                                     Manners

Listening                                 Being accommodating                   Compassions

Fairness                                 Being agreeable                                Decency

Going out of one’s way          Self-control                             Friendliness

Concern                                    Lending a hand                       Tolerance                                                                                 

Selflessness                       Abiding by rules                          Good citizenship

Etiquette                               Justice                                           Propriety

Peace

Please read Dr. Forni’s book for more on this subject. He quotes sayings by Emerson, Samuel Johnson and George Washington to name just a few, like this one . . .

“RUDENESS IS THE WEAK MAN’S IMITATION OF STRENGTH.”–Eric Hoffer

Another set of books I want to recommend are How to be a Lady by Candace Simpson-Giles and How to be a Gentleman by John Bridges. These books are contemporary, practical guides to common courtesy offering advice that is neither snobbish, boring or intimidating.

We need to slow down and take an accounting of ourselves with a good look in the mirror. I believe in activism within the parameters of common courtesy. Wrongly identifying a person from a photo is dirty pool, a show of weakness not strength. I vote to promote the strength of strong character built on a structure of moral imaginations. This is our world, folks. This is your life. I can imagine, fear disappearing as we adapt and enjoy the benefits we can reap from showing consideration to one another.