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Minding Mama’s Manners

In last month’s editor’s column, Paul Wesslund wrote about the rudeness of how profanity is used. And last month I encountered another kind of rude. At a meeting in Lexington I noticed something that really shocked me. As with most business meetings there was a keynote speaker. During the course of the distinguished gentleman’s speech, two people to my right began a personal conversation. At first I tried ignoring them, but when they didn’t stop talking and their voices got louder, I tried glaring at them.

Even my best “mama ain’t happy” glare didn’t shut them up. If I had been closer in proximity to them I would have tapped them on the shoulder and asked them to hush, but I couldn’t reach them. So I just sat there and stared at them, wondering if they had any idea how rude they were.

The next day, during a business lunch, another incident happened. This time, someone’s cell phone rang during a speaker’s presentation. I expected the owner of the cell phone would be embarrassed and turn it off, but that’s not what happened. He answered the call and proceeded to have a private conversation during the presentation.

I have seen blatant rudeness before so I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. During the course of the two-day meeting, I saw several more incidents where the Rude Police should have been called in to arrest some inconsiderate folks.

When we meet again in February, those same people will likely be rude again, unaware that at least one of their colleagues is sitting in the back with steam coming out her ears and giving them what my twins would call “the stink eye.”

Isn’t it time that you remember what your mama taught you? Mind your manners.

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