General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I was taught to say please and thank you. [View all]summer_in_TX
(2,733 posts)for me. I somehow latched onto a wacky notion that it was a way of indicating the thought that I was helpless and unable to do for myself.
Luckily that I wised up soon after in listening to my then-boyfriend tell stories of his mother making sure her boys were helpful to others. I could tell he got pleasure from being helpful, and then realized so did I. (My mom wasn't as systematic about teaching us that, but her mom did.)
Manners and kindness make the world a better place. As does giving others the benefit of the doubt, and withholding judgment.
When I was a teacher, my students and I worked to live up to the rule that the world had more than enough bad and sad in it, and that we'd try not to add any more. I think more often than not we succeeded.
By the way the "boyfriend" and I will celebrate our 44th wedding anniversary on Friday. He still gets joy from helping others, me included. I'm blessed.