Posted on 11/10/2005 8:06:01 AM PST by Mike Bates
When it comes to bad manners, today's society is pretty much a hopeless case, author Lynne Truss says.
That didn't stop her front ranting about it in her latest book, "Talk to the Hand," a self-described "moral homily" that attacks rudeness the same way she critiqued bad punctuation in her 2003 best-seller "Eats, Shoots & Leaves."
"Please" and "thank you" are endangered in the public discourse, she writes in her new work, increasingly drowned out by inane mobile phone chatter, dismal customer service and the vulgar epithet she writes as "Eff Off."
"I say in the book that I have a flame of hope (that manners will improve) but it's very, very, very small," she told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday, the day after her book came out.
"Eats, Shoots & Leaves" sold 3 million copies worldwide, its publisher said. Seizing on that success, Gotham Books has rushed out "Talk to the Hand," which Truss calls "a big, systematic moan about modern life."
The New York Times called it "a thin and crabby diatribe" in a book review, adding, "The author may have been good for only one book-length conniption."
In any case Truss said writing her 206-page rant was therapeutic.
"It really, really made me feel better," she said. "I don't know whether I've just dumped it all onto my readers, which could be the case. I may have made everybody else feel bad in the process but I've made myself feel much better."
People used to laugh at me when I would talk constantly to our
children before they could speak, including saying "Please" and "Thank You". My mother says my kids were the politest one year olds she has ever met. : )
Since moving to GA, I no longer say "you guys". Do you think the crabby ones would be happier with my current "y'all"?
: )
In one sense, they are somewhat inherent. One of the best ways of teaching manners is by example. Polite parents seem to have a much easier time teaching manners to their kids because the kids get to see their parents' good manners practiced on a regular basis.
Been there, done that!!!!!!
I must admit to feeling a bit smug when someone compliments my daughter on her manners, I know I shouldn't, but sometimes I just can't help it.
Excellent point.
I absolutely cringe when I'm having a conversation with someone and their children interupt the conversation without a simple "Excuse me." My daughter has learned the hard way about interupting others, I will immediately correct her and then continue with my conversation. she has learned the simple phrase "Excuse me" will get much better attention than being rude.
I did the same thing to my children and the first words out of their mouths were not mama or daddy but please, thank you, and you're welcome.
You are quite welcome :)
She says the premise of her book is that when someone is rude, you don't feel safe. It makes you feel that the world is a dangerous place and you want to protect yourself by withdrawing.
Actually, rudeness sometimes makes me wish I were packing heat.
The older I get the more I carry in my purse.
I figured that it was a 'trendy' response.
The term "You're welcome" sounds old fashioned or friendly.
I think that the correct format should be: "no problem, dude".
Sometime I respond, "If there was a problem, I'd let you know".
All I ever get is a blank stare.
Yeah, words mean things. I'm glad that you enjoy them.
Thanks.
When I was shopping for a new car, the first thing the salesman said to me was: "What's your name?" I responded with my proper last name. He asked, "What's your first name. What should I call you?" I said, "You may call me "Ma'am."
He didn't. I left.
Reminds me of the Inspector Morse series. When asked his first name, Morse would answer, "Inspector."
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