Topic Tuesday (a day late)

I typed this earlier and saved it without publishing it. Der. Without further delay (You were praying for a delay, weren't you?):
Common Courtesy:
There are little acts of common courtesy paid to another person that are easy to not pass along to another generation. I think we have, as a society, let common courtesies fall by the wayside. I'm not necessarily talking about table manners and the like. Most would agree that I have the table manners of a clod. Maybe this falls in line with the talking to strangers bit, but in public, I think there is little to compare to being nice to folks. With the holidays so close around the corner, how about starting your resolution list a bit early? For instance:

• Opening doors for people. Do it.
• How about not smoking in public? How about if you're being a sweetie and lighting up outside, you do it more than 1 step outside of a common doorway. Do it--just do it farther away.
• Say hello to people you meet. This drives me crazy when two people (and one of them is me) pass in a hallway, and person A refuses to acknowlege the existence of person B. Say hello because it's nice to do.
• Wave to people who let you cut in traffic EVERY TIME. Do it.
• No matter where you work, talk to the janitor! I learned very early on, the most important alliance a teacher can make is not with the principal, but with the janitors. Their job is harder than you imagine no matter where they work, so say hello to them! If possible, say more than hello to them. I like to go sit in the cafeteria with our janitor ladies and laugh at their dirty jokes. Not that you have to go that far. If it's your school's custodian, chances are they have cleaned up, at some point in time, your child's vomit....or that of another student so your child didn't have to look at it. Say hello.
• For Corn's Sake, flush the toilet EVERY TIME you use it. Without fail. Do it.
• If you and another person are after the very last cookie, do not eat it. NEVER EAT THE LAST ITEM. There is another person who will, without delay, have their eye on it. It probably means more to them than to you.
• Do not have a loud conversation on any phone. It's annoying. And trust me, I know annoying. On many levels.
• Take off your hat at events. Indoors. Especially during The Pledge and National Anthem. A lot of men and women gave their lives, so you can say it. And while we're at it, put your hand over your heart. That's what my daddy always said.
• Do not allow your children to text during church. Or glance at their phone. Or have their phone in their hand. Heck, leave it in the car! God said so.
• Please don't pout. It's not pretty, and most people don't care.
• It is your job to tell a close friend or family member if A.) they are sporting a boogie or some other such atrocity, B.)they need to be warned of an upcoming family event or calendar date that they are likely to forget, or C.) has their skirt tucked into their panties.
• Don't hug everyone you know. Some folks aren't huggers. If they want a hug; however, and it's blatantly obvious, you should oblige them. Given of course that it isn't a stranger. Do not hug strangers....even I don't condone this.
• Teach your children to respect their teachers and coaches without exception.
• And this is sensitive, so it will be my last point...but please....Sweet Mother of Abraham Lincoln, please....don't do #2 in public if at all possible. Can't these things wait people? Eh? I rest my case.

Next week, I promise not to harp or lecture during Topic Tuesday; however, I can not promise not to mention #2. And Sar, I mean the REAL #2. ((School funny: I have a very crass, gotta love him, 7th grade boy who always says, "Can I go to the restroom? I've gotta go do #5." It's not funny. At all (sucking in my cheeks.) Most importantly, he should wait until he gets home.))