One is shocked, often, at the prevalence of rudeness in human intercourse.
People who are courteous in the drawing-room are sometimes horribly
uncivil in public. They crowd and jostle and elbow in thc endeavor to
secure better places for themselves, violating every canon of politeness.
Women have fainted, gowns have been ruined and valuable articles lost in
"crushes" incident to gatherings in "our best society."
Many people carry an umbrella with utter disregard of the eyes and
headgear of the passing crowd. Closed, it is tucked under the arm, the
ferrule projecting behind on a level with the face of a pedestrian. They
go through a heavy door, pushing it open for themselves and letting it
swing back against the next comer. They step in advance of those who have
prior claim to be shown to seats, and accept civilities and service
without so much as a "Thank you." They endeavor to obtain "something for
nothing" by piling their luggage into seats they have not paid for on the
train; on the boat they fortify themselves in a circle of chairs that are
"engaged"--generally to hold their wraps and lunch-boxes, while others
look in vain for seats.
[MANNERS AND SOCIAL CUSTOMS 779]
Rude Tourists.--Tourists have a reputation for a disregard of the rights
of others, which makes them obnoxiously uncivil. They enter a church where
worshipers are kneeling and audibly criticise the architecture and
decorations, or the faith to which it is consecrated. They comment
flippantly on great pictures in art galleries, and snicker over undraped
statues, evincing the commonness of their minds and their lack of
knowledge of art. But one of the worst lapses of decorum is to sit in a
theatre and anticipate the action of the play, or the development of a
musical number, by explanations to a companion. To do so may show
familiarity with the play or the score, but it also shows a painful lack
of good breeding, and a disregard of others' rights to peaceful enjoyment.
On a par with this is the incivility of a person who undertakes to
accompany a soloist with his (or her) own little pipe, to the annoyance of
those who prefer to listen to professional rather than amateur efforts.
Of course all these rude people excuse themselves by saying they "get
left" if they don't "rush," and that they "paid for their seats," as if
this atoned for their disregard of those who, equally with themselves,
have paid for a pleasure spoiled for them by the greed or impertinence of
their fellow men--and women.
Telephone Etiquette.--"Central" could disclose how discourteous many women
who pique themselves on their good manners can be when they are "calling
down" the tradesman who has made a mistake in filling their order. And how
often a party line is held for a lengthy "telephone visit" while others
wait their really important affairs because the "line's busy!"
The manners of the public need reforming. Civility is a public good.
Without it, we would be barbarians. It is the practical application of the
Golden Rule to everyday life. To lay aside our own courtesy because we are
in a crowd, or among people who do not know us, reduces us below the level
of those who are not versed in the social requirements, because we know
them and should practise them, whereas they do not know.