Being Polite
Throughout my life, people have often commented on how polite I am. I came by this honestly. Growing up in Atlanta, I was raised to be a nice southern gentleman and this was a habit that I was taught from the very beginning.
You open a door for someone. You say thank you whenever possible. You show respect for your elders and for all older people. “Please” and “Thank you” are just the right thing to do.
I have found myself saying thank you when it really was the other person’s job to say this. They often don’t, but this rarely registers with me. I like being polite.
Society is built on cooperation. Things run better when we all work together. Traffic flows better when we take turns rather than forcing our way in. Waiting your turn keeps society equitable and makes the day more pleasant.
I try to get along with my neighbors. I make an effort to say thank you to the person checking out or bagging my groceries. I put my weights back at the gym.
I have lamented the loss of civility and manners in our society of late. I like it when our leaders are people who show manners and model good behavior. If those around us are not being civil, it’s my job to model the right behavior. This is even more important right now.
This all comes down to the importance of having empathy. The ability to “put yourself in someone else’s shoes” and imagine their life and struggles gives us a perspective that allows society to function. We all need to get along and work together. It’s not just about me and my bank account.
Those of us that are educators have a special opportunity and responsibility to teach this to our students. Whether it’s a marching band, winter guard, or a softball team, these groups need to learn cooperation and respect. This is no small contribution to the world! I hope we will all take this responsibility seriously.
Teach young people to be good losers…and good winners. It’s important to shake hands with the competitor who bests you, knowing that good sportsmanship is central to competition. Remember that we all have much more in common then the differences which the media blows out of proportion. Live and let live, and allow others to find happiness in their own way. I suggest we start by working to be more polite and civil. This is the kind of world I want to live in, and I work toward this each day. The contribution of one person really does impact the whole. You can make that difference. Start today!
Tim Hinton
March 9, 2025
