Dear Ann Landers: There has been some discussion in your column about the general rudeness of people. You have said it is worse than it used to be. I agree.
The enclosed is from the Shopper Digest in Allegheny County (Pa.). I hope you will share it with your readers.
Betty S. Who Reads You Daily
Dear Betty: I liked your enclosure and am delighted to print it. Thanks for sending it my way.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ”YES, PLEASE”?
It went the way of
”Thank you,”
”Yes, sir.”
Do you know who
Killed those lovely phrases?
All of us.
We did not use them
Often enough.
Now we get
”Huh?”
”What?”
”Ya` know what I`m sayin`?”
Mannerly responses are learned at home.
Rude, barbaric responses also are learned at home.
William of Wykeham, who was born in 1324,
Said, ”Manners maketh the man.”
If we are so smart in the 20th Century,
How come we are not as civilized
As William was in the 14th Century?
To the child who says, ”Huh?”
Pass along this page.
Dear Ann Landers: I need another opinion, please. Is it asking too much to request that the children of the man I live with (they are 18 and 20 years old) acknowledge their presence upon arrival at our house? They have a habit of walking in without a knock or even a hello. All of a sudden I look up or turn around and there they are.
When I voice my displeasure, I am told I get upset too easily. My companion says, ”They used to live here and probably feel it is still their home.” (They were gone two years before I moved in.)
I say it`s rude and ill-mannered to not at least knock and call out before one enters the home of family or friends. I resent having my privacy invaded and have said so many times. Am I being petty?
Annoyed in Ga.
Dear Ga.: It is extremely ill-mannered to walk into the home of family or friends without ringing the bell, knocking on the door and announcing one`s presence.
May I ask, please, how do these people get into your house? Do they have keys? If so, why? Methinks you need a mediator to settle this question once and for all.
Another thought: If these folks can walk in and surprise you, so could a burglar or a rapist. Get with it, woman.
Ann Landers` booklet, ”Sex and the Teenager,” explains every aspect of sexual behavior–where to draw the line, how to say no, the various methods of contraception, the dangers of VD, the symptoms and where to get help. For a copy, send $2 and a No. 10, self-addressed, stamped envelope (39 cents postage) to Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, Ill. 60611-0562.
