The Disappearance of Common Courtesy

18. March 2010 by PawBill.

I believe many TV viewers think it is cute the way many “supposedly” entertainment situation comedy programs use disrespectful attitudes and language as put downs to authority figures, i.e., parents, teachers, police, religious leaders and etc., but I do not think it is humorous because of the negative impact disrespect promotes.  What about you?

Showing respect to those you come in contact with is fast becoming a thing of the past.  As common human courtesies disappear, society should not be surprised at the ever-increasing levels of violence being acted out in all walks of life.  Consider the following narrative as an example: 

                           Incident at the Local Donut Shop*

I was not there the day of the “incident” when a five-dollar bet turned into a disagreement that escalated to a confrontation with verbal threats.  While the bet itself was insignificant and no physical harm occurred, the resulting outbursts of emotions still simmer and any non-involved patrons that morning may now have second thoughts about ever returning.

So what happened?  The daily morning Donut Shop coffee group had settled into their “space” when a discussion about who had won or lost a bet that had been made a day or so earlier resurfaced.  There was apparently some ambiguity or word phrasing of the bet now being called into question by the apparent “bet loser,” as identified by the majority of the group, and what the correct answer should be.  The “bet loser” thought that both answers were correct and thus the bet was a tie and no money should change hands.

Emotions were beginning to surface, as to who the winner of the bet should be, when an “innocent” participant calmly sided with the “bet winner” as view by the group and told the “bet loser” that he had legitimately lost the bet and that he should pay up. Suddenly, the “bet loser’s” girlfriend, who up until this time had remained silent, challenged the “innocent.”  A barrage of words spewed out regarding past put-downs made by the “innocent” to her boyfriend followed by the statement,  “I will go and get my gun and shoot you.”   

With that statement some participants involved in the episode left and those remaining consulted with the management of the establishment regarding the perceived threat that was made.  However, no police incident report was filed and all group members have now returned to their usual seating positions.

The irony of this situation is that the “innocent” was mistakenly identified by the girlfriend as the person who had previously been making derogatory statements to her boyfriend.   In other words, if violence had occurred the “innocent” and possibly others may have been wrongfully injured or killed.

When God was feared and His commandments were taught and displayed, courtesy and politeness were considered honorable virtues practiced by most.  “Yes sir,” “no sir,” “yes ma’am,” “no ma’am” as responses of acknowledgment to their elders by children were not uncommonly heard.  Today it’s more of a “yep” or “nope” response if there is one given at all.

Do you long for the days when you could enjoy: a cup of coffee at the local donut shop without having to listen to loud, boisterous, mean spirited, argumentative patrons; a movie or theatrical performance without cell phones, talking and misbehaving children, teenagers and adults; an enjoyable ball game without drunkenness, lewd language and behavior; a night out without some confrontational dunce causing a scene because he or she can not get their way; the simplicity of life without jihadists, rapists, child molesters and other perverted individuals whose only desire is to hurt others in the gratification of their wants.  The list could go on, and I am sure you could add your own pet peeves.

Well, you are not going to get your wish!  We only have the following behaviors to look forward to because of “Godlessness in the Last Days” as foretold by Paul in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV): “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.”

The behaviors listed above fit the current generation of Americans like a glove.  As the “love of many grows cold” do not despair. There is hope and that hope can be found in the person of Jesus Christ.  He stands ready to receive you.  Will you accept Him today, before it is too late?

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*Note: The “Incident at the Local Donut Shop” narrative is a fictionalized account of a hearsay incident that bears no resemblance to any actual incident or the identity of any person, place or group. It is only used as an example of what can happen with the disappearance of common courtesies and to point out how quickly a relatively insignificant set of circumstances might escalate into violence. 

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