Saturday, December 13, 2008

Our Best Holiday Manners

A reader asked for some posts on etiquette for the up-coming holidays and holy days. All the theology in the world, all the lovely traditions and the most ethereal spirituality, are nothing if not accompanied by charity towards our neighbor. Love is expressed in thoughtfulness and consideration, which are what good manners should be. It has occurred to me over the last few years that many people mistake gentleness and courtesy for weakness, just as they mistake brutality and rudeness for strength. No, it requires strength and discipline to be kind to everyone, to greet people who are obnoxious, to show love to everyone. Neither is it being obsequious or condescending to be polite to the rude, which does not, of course, mean being a doormat to bullies. They need to be handled, kindly but firmly.

Emily Post offers from excellent tips on being polite at Christmas.

(Artwork courtesy of Karen) Share

2 comments:

Terry Nelson said...

I've been trying to do this on Abbey 1. ;)

Seriously - I love etiquette and never spell it correctly. But I really do, and what I find amazing is how ignorant people can be as regard the practice - that is if they demonstrate any manners at all. Especially young people - or anyone of my generation on down. People who happen to be well educated and well stationed in life, and son.

elena maria vidal said...

Thanks, Terry. I'm not sure that I always spell it correctly either.