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Common courtesy needs to return
Published Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I would like to take this opportunity to educate the good citizens of Natchez on something that has become extinct in recent years — common courtesy. While I realize that many who need this lesson do not read letters to the editor in the newspaper, it is my hope that some will.
On two separate occasions in recent weeks, I witnessed gross misconduct on the part of some of our citizens. The first occurred in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I was behind an elderly man in a car who had stopped in the lane while waiting for a car to back out of a parking space. He had his blinker on and had left plenty of room for the car to back out. While we were waiting, a car pulled around both of us, stopped when the driver saw the car backing out, and whipped into the parking spot before the driver in front of me could move. I was dumbfounded by this rude and disrespectful behavior.
The second situation took place at the gas station. Because all the lanes were full, my husband and I pulled up to wait in line to get gas. While we were waiting, which turned out to be an extended period of time, another car pulled up on the opposite side of the car who was fueling. When the driver of the car at the pump finally pulled out, the other car sped up to the pump blocking us from pulling up. Once again I was shocked.
Is this the way our society is heading? What has happened to common courtesy and respect for individuals that I was raised to live by and the south is known for all over the country? Our city was once a center for Southern hospitality and graciousness. What has happened? With Pilgrimage just around the corner and Natchez relying on the boost to our economy, what message will this type of treatment send to our guests from all over the world?
Because of these events, I am concerned about the image of our fair city. Both situations should have been dictated by common courtesy as each driver waited for his/her turn. Let’s hope these were, indeed, isolated incidents.
Laurie Wells
Natchez resident
Comments
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 1:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the horror of it all! some ppl have zero respect for other's.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had a similiar experience at Walmart also, actually the Murphy gas station, I guess it's worth it to pay a little more and go to one of the nicer gas stations
I will refrain from making what some would think as a racist remark, the person who did it to me was a young black male with his music blaring and he cut around the cars in a dangerous manner driving too fast in such cramped quarters, but I will not make any racist assumptions, just stating what happened briefly, probably more of a youthful reaction showing immaturity,
I wonder if there are any classes in morality, appreciation of religion, etiquette, or courtesy, or citizenship being taught in the school system?
Posted by silly_willy_24_7 (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Krogers, the only thing kids in many of the schools around here learn is that there are no consequences for doing wrong. the longer or more violent a kids discipline record is, the more popular they become. an example of this is the girl who allegedly killed her abusive mother last year, and then was elected as miss natchez high school, and then have the charges dropped the very day of the nhs homecoming football game, and then march across the field being introduced as the daughter of the slain woman (in that order).
kids learn what they are exposed to the most, violence or church, classroom or courtroom, table manners or streetsmarts, good manners or "thugism", etc.
Posted by nicole25 (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That is why my child will NEVER go to a public school. I have witnessed alot of Rude and disrespectful behavior. Used to I would get so humiliated when my husband would say something smart to the person doing it. But now I understand why, If you don't speak up and say something, they will just run all over you like they think they can.
Posted by Krogers (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't know all that about that girl
that is alarming
I had heard that she probably was guilty, but they couldn't prove it and her father was protecting her, maybe even helped her do it
I don't know
Posted by peaceout (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 7 p.m. (Suggest removal)
that whole story is just so sickening. how could they vote this girl in as Miss Natchez High????? that floors me every time i hear about it.
Posted by Crazynms (anonymous) on February 21, 2008 at 12:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is all true. He has friends in places..????
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on February 22, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry to say Laurie, but society isn't headed in that direction. It's already here. People just don't respect each other anymore, escpecially the elderly.
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on February 23, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Respect is earned each and every day. Whether or not a child attends a particular school has nothing to do with morality. A single incident is terrible but not justified as the norm for all the good people here in Natchez. We can all find incidents of discourtesy and we can find it right in our homes, our churches we attend, the stores we shop. Getting hostile does nothing but encourage. The Bible tells us to turn the other cheek, and as hard as it is to do, you must give it a try. Anger will tear your insides out and cause all types of illnesses. Brother and sister, show by example. Be ultra nice to an inconsiderate person and it makes them feel worse for their mis-behavior. They will not show it to you but it may make a change in that person towards someone else. You must can't justify bad behavior by allowing yourself to do the same -- not at the same level -- but bad all the same.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on February 27, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Respect starts with the Family! Be nice/God is watching! But all-be careful! Stay safe!
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