Where are our manners?

Dear Editor,

As Thanksgiving and Christmas are soon going to be with us, I would like to address a little about etiquette in our society. Courtesy, politeness, thankfulness.

How often do you hear many people say thank you, of it it is said, to be met with no response, a wave of the hand or quote, "No problem."

What has happened to "you're welcome"? What has become of the phrase, "pardon me," "excuse me," "please" or "I'm sorry." Yes, I know "I'm sorry" is a no-no for many, but how much better does it make both parties feel when an apology is made.

How about names? Mom, Dad, Uncle , Aunt ? A little respect doesn't hurt anyone. We had an employee one time who said he would not let her children call her Mom as it made her feel old. Well, duh! It isn't in good taste for children to call Mom and Dad by their first name.

Merry Christmas has largely been replaced with "Happy Holiday." Have people forgotten that Christ is the reason for the season? We need to remember what Christ did for us and is still doing. Christmas seems to be mostly a ploy for merchandising. How sad.

It would be well for parents and schools to get back to teaching the old basics of some of the named qualities above to the young people. The principles learned in youth will remain with them when they become adults.

Thank you for listening.

Esther Wissbaum,

McCook