I not sure why it's bothering me these days. Perhaps it's a sentimental, nostalgic, and foolhardy hallucination, but I have been noticing a scarcity of chivalry in our world relative to what I grew up knowing to be THE way.
My Mother was not into being being called "Maam" . . . yet she always commanded the utmost respect, She taught my siblings and I our pleases and thank yous - and we had continual "training" at the dinner table as to how to properly eat and "Pass the Peas Please."
Then I joined the military, and learned respect in SO many ways. First, I had to learn "Sir" and "Maam" . . . Then when I was commissioned, I had to get accustomed to being called "Sir" even by soldiers more than twice my age. I learned to offer a salute and to receive a salute.
I learned to honor other people.
What precipitated this blog post is a whole series of small and inconsequential occurrences that all point to a shift in (perhaps) the redefinition of chivalry.
Senator MCCain addresses Senator Obama as "Senator" while Senator Obama was talking to "John"
Instead of "President Bush", I often hear "George" or "Mr. Bush"
2 Ladies in my office had a flat tire on Friday . . . As they changed their tire in high heals on an 85 degree day, no fewer than 10 men passed by without even the slightest inclination to help.
I'm hearing more car horn honking than EVER here in Nashville.
When you are driving on the interstate, do you automatically shift one lane left to make room for merging traffic into the right lane?
Do you listen for emergency vehicles and go out of your way to get out of the way?
My roofer calls me "Mr. Owen"
When you call a prospect, Is it "Sam" or "Mr. Jones?"
Do you children know to hold the door (or elevator) for their elders?
Why is it OK for the media and the politicians to openly practice bias, chauvinism, and disrespect to women and other high ranking politicians? What does this teach our children?
Am I now an old fuddy-duddy at the age of 46?
I hope not. Perhaps what Iam seeing out there is an aberration and is not really a problem. I can't help but think though . . . If we're going to unite in the face of the strong challenges before us, we might want to consider pausing for a moment to do a quick check . . .
Will our Momma's approve of the way we're treating other people?
If you're looking for success, you might start with yourself and consider how you treat others. Are you deserving of the utmost respect?
I think so . . .
Best,
b
Barry Owen
Career Development Coach
Principal Broker
Keller Williams Realty - Nashville, TN - Green Hills - The FLAGSHIP
www.theowengroup.net - Respecting Home Buyers and sellers throughout Middle Tennessee
www.creatingspaces.blogspot.com
Simply & BOLDLY Living the FourFold Way in Open Space!
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