Being polite

Polite

Does anyone know what that word means anymore?

Well, let me look in good old Webster's, so we can all be on the same page.

In fact, we'll look at two of mine.

One from 1968 and one from 1978.

For reference on what a dictionary is and how to use it, please go 'here'. I don't want anyone to be confused ;)

Webster's 1968 dictionary says:

The 1978 version says:

Hmm.... not much difference.

How about Google?

adjective, politer, politest.

1.

showing good manners toward others, as in behavior, speech, etc.;courteous; civil:

a polite reply.

2.

refined or cultured:

polite society.

3.

of a refined or elegant kind:

polite learning.

Still not much different, but the language changed a touch.

Now guess what the antonym is?

Rude.

You know which one I've see a lot of and especially lately?

I'll give you a hint... 

It's not the nice one.

I'm not sure what has happened to society, but somehow we've forgotten our manners, and etiquette seems to have gone the way of the Dodo bird.

Yes, we all have jokes about people at Wally World (politeness includes dressing correctly), but it's most prevalent on the internet.

And yes, we've all experienced it there too.

Places like Facebook are a nightmare.

What I didn't expect is seeing it amongst us in Blogland. 

We all have seen trolls, but when one of our regular readers leaves us a rude comment or sends us a rude email, it throws us for a loop.

Especially, when it's one of our own.

By that, I mean another blogger.

I've seen comments that completely tear someone down.

I've seen words so rude that I want to cry for the person.

And I've heard of emails that are so downright nasty that I can't believe that anyone would send them.

Hello!

Where are their manners?

What happened to being supportive?

When did this turn into a game of how bad we can behave towards each other?

If you disagree with someone, fine, but there's no need to be rude about it.

Put yourself in their shoes and think about how it would feel if it was you getting those nasty words.

Maybe buy an etiquette book to learn how to be polite.

Or borrow one.

God knows I have enough of them ;)

It doesn't cost a thing to be nice and as the old saying goes...

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

Or as Mark Twain said:

"It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt."

Or how about...

"Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

Anyway, just be kind to one another.

Please :)

xo

rue