On Sunny Lane: Just Be Nice

A couple of weeks ago, Sweetheart and I went to an outdoor event.

There were a couple of hundred people sitting in rows of chairs outside the eating establishment where the event was being held, waiting for the meeting to begin. There were about 50 more people sitting at tables, where they could order food. More people were leaning over the railings behind the speakers, where they could get good reception. (Sweetheart and I sat at a table.)

Along came a large woman, struggling with a walker. She turned it around and sat on the seat that was part of the design of the walker. Then she began to bark orders to her brother, who was accompanying her. He complied with her wishes and then went off to sit with some other people. And she wondered why he didn't want to sit beside her. I didn't wonder.

Now I can understand that the woman needed help. What I couldn't understand is why she had to be rude about it. She thought she was being funny. I didn't think she was.

What is it about people that makes them think that being part of a family gives them the right to be rude to each other? There is much to be gained by being nice to the people you are supposed to love.

The words "please" and "thank you" still go a long way to fostering peace and happiness in a household. It has worked for Sweetheart and me. By being polite and courteous, we have lived in harmony for 11 years.

This spring I went to a bridal shower. Each guest was given a slip of paper on which to write some advice to the bride-to-be. I wrote, "Always be nice to your husband and he will be nice to you."

I think it's the very fact that spouses have stopped being nice to each other and taken each other for granted that has led to many a divorce.

And I think that being rude leads to unrest in society--among co-workers, neighbors, and people with whom you interact in stores. What can it hurt to be "courteous and polite"? Politeness should start at home, but it shouldn't end there.

I wonder. When Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," did he mean everyone?

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Dorothy is the author of two books—“Miles and Miracles” and “Getting It All Together “. You can purchase a book or send a comment by emailing her at dorothybutzknight@gmail.com