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Politeness

By Harry Pearse
Staff Writer

Open the door for people! Say “thank you!” Say “hello!”

I believe that we can all implement basic politeness a lot more in our everyday lives. I would hope that many of our parents taught us how to be polite, how to show appreciation, and above all else, not to be rude.

A student holding the door open for oncomers walking into Hillwood Commons. By Kristen Linsalata
A student holding the door open for oncomers walking into Hillwood Commons. By Kristen Linsalata

LIU Post has a vast amount of different nationalities and cultures surrounding its grounds, which means there are endless amounts of cultural differences. However, I would go as far to say that there are many universal civilities that we all share, right?

“Please” and “Thank you” are huge for me. I can’t understand how someone could be so arrogant that they feel they don’t have to show appreciation to someone who has just done them a service.

If you are ordering a coffee, is it hard to say, “Please, may I have a coffee?” When the lovely barista serves you a beautifully, warm coffee with the green, infamous mermaid Starbucks logo, do you not say “Thank you?”

If I am waiting in a queue, or line which the Americans like to call it, it infuriates me when I don’t hear simple common courtesy. Not only are you just being polite, but it could make the people who are serving you feel good about themselves, and allow them to embrace the sensation of thankfulness. What else is better than making someone’s day?

Although there are many grumpy attendants, it doesn’t mean you should just be angry and impolite back. Be the “bigger man,” and be different from everyone else who isn’t “practicing,” as Drake would say, the courteous rules of society, which are the first things we learn as a child.

I guess it is different back in England. If I was rude, not appreciative, or bad-mannered, I would get a slap. Now, I am not saying my dad or my mum were versions of Adrian Peterson (the Minnesota Vikings Running Back who slapped a kid after a touchdown). Many kids in England would understand the huge emphasis that is put on the simple qualms of being “nice and polite.”

Opening doors for people or holding a door for someone is massive. It’s one of those things that should be an inherent action, performed on a day-to-day basis. I do it all the time, and it seems that the people that actually say thank you, use a completely surprised tone when saying “Thanks?” Although it looks great for me, I look like a wonderfully, mannered British boy, who has high quality chivalry, but shouldn’t all people do that?

I’m not saying hold the door open for someone when they are 100 yards away. However, waiting two seconds to be courteous enough to act in a gentlemanly manner isn’t hard. Of course, if you are the “open door-ree” then make sure you show the appreciation and say thank you.

If everyone tries just a tiny bit harder to be the difference, and show great and beautiful  kindness and politeness, then campus would be such a better place! Have a go!

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