It all started with a trip to CVS about 4 years ago. I was checking out and the little girl behind the register barely even looked at me. I waited patiently for her to tell me my total. She just stared. I swiped my card and she handed me my receipt. She said nothing. I said "Thank you" to the young woman, to which she responded by ringing up the next customer. "The proper response is 'You're Welcome'"
I said that to her and my crusade and annoyance began.
I hate bad manners. I don't understand why it is so difficult for people to say please, thank you and you're welcome. If I go out of my way to thank someone, I feel that they should respond as well. Not with "uh-huh" or "no problem" (as if it was a problem to begin with), but the proper "You're welcome".
Flash Forward to this year at the USSteel safety day. My 2 year old is playing in a bounce house. She is still learning what is acceptable behavior with new children. She loves older girls and wants to be their friend. She is bouncing around and wants to talk to a young girl of about 6 or 7 years old. My daughter grabbed the other girl's shirt. The little girl "Ma'am (she called me ma'am so I was beginning to be impressed), you NEED to tell your daughter not to touch other people's shirts" Now, I understand that what my child did is on the verge of being considered rude. She violated someone's personal space (and was talked to about this as well). But again, she is only 2 and is still learning. This other child was 3 times my daughter's age and in my opinion should have known to not only address me as ma'am but also to make a request and not a demand. I said to her "Can you ask me nicely? Can you say please?" To which she did. I then found myself wondering what her mother would have said if she had heard me. I would hope that I wouldn't have had to say anything to the child. I would hope that her mother (or father depending on the situation) would have stepped in first and corrected this behavior. I know that we are examples for our children. This is an age where the next generation is one of instant gratification and entitlement. I too often, in my former employment especially, have seen children with little to no manners not being taught by the adults they are with. I have seen moms and dads with their kids be rude to those in the service industry (waiters, cashiers, etc). I can't stand it. I get frustrated with teenagers who show no respect for their elders but also remember what it was like to be 16 and 17 years old and think that I was the baddest person around. But I still knew that my parents wanted me to be respectful. So maybe the blame lies with our generation. We are the ones who are supposed to be setting the example for the future leaders. I just want to be a good example, Not only for my daughter, but to others around me. So the next time someone takes the time to say "Thank you", try for the 'proper response'.
