How's Momma N'em?

How often do you say thank you or acknowledge another person with hello or smile? What is your first response when someone sneezes next to you in public? How many times have you walked into a room full of people and greeted them only to get blank stares?  When is it ok to be courteous to someone? 

These are just a few self-reflection questions that I have had to ask myself about and what I thought my readers should consider. Everyone is into being social through media but not through physical contact. I am just as guilty for my social habits. I have passed by friends and not even realizing it because I was so involved in my phone. 

Additionally, it seems like everyone feels entitled nowadays. It's as if you have to earn the right to be spoken to; if I do not know you then why should I ask how you are doing. I doubt that any of us were raised with these customs, so how did common courtesy disintergrate?

I was born and raised in the South and southern hospitality was etched into my upbringing. Church members, co-workers, and long-time family friends have always looked at me as one of their own. A sense of community and acceptance was established because common courtesy was shared. 

I have never been the most welcoming individual, although my intentions are good, my social skills could use some work. I also grew up dealing with social anxiety and over the years of working in customer service, I have grown more comfortable with speaking to strangers.

For the extroverts and those who are comfortable with making themselves a spectacle, what happened to common courtesy?

There are a lot of millennials with these similar habits, for instance text instead of call or FaceTime instead of visiting each other. I have heard a lot of excuses, such as, our society has changed since our parents’ time. Some things have changed but man has not evolved that drastically to where we are incapable of showing common courtesy. Our differences have always been evident and embraced in diverse ways but why have we allowed it to choke us of speaking to one another?

For instance, men hold on very firmly to their pride. I am friends with homosexual men and I know of men who disagree with that lifestyle. I know some men who cannot even be in the same room as a gay man. Why is a greeting secured so tightly?

Showing courtesy does not reflect weakness but it does show that you are a respectable individual.

Courtesy is about accepting and respecting each other as an equal. Kindness holds so much value and will always be remembered. Stay connected with your neighbor! If you could not recall the last time you said good morning to a stranger before they spoke to you then you should practice basic common courtesy. We are all equal; there is no man better or more entitled than the next man. It is ok to physically interact, the more we do, the closer our society can get to reaching unity.