I used to work retail sales, warranty, and customer service by phone, fax, email, and walk-in. Did it for c. 25 years. People from all walks of life, every range of attitude and aptitude.
Around 2013 the company I worked for installed an auto attendant with phone menu for all incoming calls.
It was then that calls routed to my desk started to become, shall I say, less good-mannered, or more ill-tempered.
We have been woefully lax in teaching our progeny this basic distinction, thinking the Pledge of Allegiance once a day is all we need to preserve all that is embodied in our founding.
Deputize with the instructions “shoot to kill,” and make it known far and wide this we will do to those who would threaten andxdisyrb the peace in such a way. The len them FAFO.
I think Chesterfield might admit to exceptions. If not, he should have. The interesting thing here is that, in advising his son, he casts a wide and secret net over the subject. My preference currently is to be above board in speaking with and about not only the ladies, but anyone whom I encounter.
In general, Chesterfield’s writings are utilitarian in nature and thus denude themselves of anything that would generate what constitutes true love. Still, from a practical standpoint his commentary in this case has a delightful ring.
Of the hundreds of books in my home, one containing the wisdom of Lord Chesterfield is included. It is chock full of rich expressions related to the conduct of life in general in his day.
How about this one? It is advice from Chesterfield to his son. For yours truly it largely rings true, but Chesterfield elsewhere gives counsel in so many words not to stereotype whole masses.
Anyway, this is sure to rile the priests and priestesses of confusion in our midst.
Efforts to induce basic morality are painted by the left as “control,” when really it is self-control that ought apply. That’s how a civil society is able to function.