The late, great Bill Hicks, when he was bored, read the dictionary. I didn’t quite get it at the time, but sure do now, since I too have come to love words.
Today a friend used the term, smug…someone showing an excessive pride in oneself laced with arrogance and conceit. Just four letters told me everything I needed to know about the person in question.
Words, as an English teacher I once had said, are our friends who express what we want too say, along wth all there is to learn. Funny I still remember Mrs. Tucker’s words since I wasn’t exactly Emily Dickinson in her class.
I’m sure, the woman who confiscated my Vogues and Cosmos would roll in her grave knowing I turned into a writer.
The word appropriate, has come up for me a lot lately.
An adjective meaning, suitable and proper in all circumstances. Fitting behavior, apt and applicable, seemly and right…polite in all actions.
I know…when does that happen?
I like what appropriate suggests. Manners in old-school packaging, what we were taught as kids by our parents as well as in school. Now it seems almost unheard of to teach a kid, please and thank you, don’t interrupt and cover your mouth when you sneeze.
To sum it up, the behavior of others has become chronically, inappropriate, from cell phone use in public places, to stepping in front to get ahead. Allowing doors to slam in the face of another, living in a self-absorbed, selfish state.
Being appropriate is right up there with expecting to find a clean, operable phone booth to make an old-fashioned call. It just doesn’t exist anymore though some of us old-timers still practice its basics.
Talk about a word that should be dug up and dusted off along with humility, it’s dying relative.
Humility…what the fuck is that?
It’s called modesty Kemosabe, downplaying one’s importance leaving pride, and hubris, Greek for pride, at the door.
I can’t speak for you, but manners soothe me. They suggest safety and comfort, to be at home with myself even when in the company of inappropriate behavior.
That person crashing through the door texting their Facebook page what they had for lunch, who they’re having for dinner, and did you see my new shoes on Instagram, has become my predator…the enemy…the fly in the everlasting ointment. With the exception of maybe ISIS, there isn’t a group who troubles me more.
Too dramatic?
I feel it’s an appropriate response to long for a time when we had built-in regard for one other.
If you find a clean, working phone booth, let me know.
SB
Susannah, our local (and only) large grocery store within 20 miles could use a little appropriateness. Or perhaps I should say its customers could. So many of all ages and sexes wear pajama bottoms. Viewers are lucky if they are clean and without holes. And those not wearing sleepwear are stretching yoga pants past their limits. At least sightings of those exposed butts seem to be diminishing in this part of town.
I recall my parents tsking about our midriffs and braless tops we flaunted. My grandmother’s generation thought it was a scandal when rolling your stockings down to your knees, or heaven forbid your ankles, came into fashion. I wonder what the next generation will bring forth.
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I love your comments Skinny. And yes, fashion has been pushed to the limit. If I see one more set of big boobs having no business in a tank top, you will hear me scream from there. Decorum, another great word, is gone with the wind…sigh
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I agree with you wholeheartedly. However…I remember my mom saying the same thing as she was dragging me to visit decrepit old great aunts who were boring and lived in dark, dank houses. She beat submissiveness into me. I now understand how important it was for those old folks to get company as I approach decrepidness myself. Parents today aren’t so good at the forcing issue preferring to let kids do their own thing even if it involves continuous selfies. Next class at the senior home will be “How to avoid flying doors from smashing your face as the texting person in front of you is oblivious!”
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Love the last line. Yes, it’s become like dodging bullets. As far as present day parents go, there’s not enough direction. There’s a payoff to discipline, even if the kid doesn’t know it yet. My mother was a hellion but I’m grateful she taught me manners. Along with manning that cocktail shaker…:)
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We only had Mogen David in my house. Yuk!
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WHO???
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Yes! And we weren’t even Jewish!
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You lost me there amigo. Sorry.
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Mogen David is that thick sticky sweet wine that resided under the sink and was only brought out at Christmas. If you never had it, you are not missing anything.
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Like Manischewitz.
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Yep, they are brothers. In fact maybe it was Manischewitz.
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LOL…bad wine has no borders
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I remember Mogan David wine!
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Really? I never heard of it before Kate mentioned it.
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In my day, good manners were common. *sigh*
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Oh Anne, them were the days…:)
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Lola has a particularly cold nose. She’s a good girl usually but I have to scold her for inappropriate touching when we’re out and about. Nobody wants something icy and wet in their knickers.
My current favourite word is “germane: pertinent to the subject under consideration”.
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I was reading over the weekend and that would came up. It’s not one you encounter often but yes, it’s a good one. And out of respect for Lola’s nose, I’d welcome it knowing it was her. It’s the thought that counts you know…:)
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She’d feel accepted as a sister.
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We can wear one another’s clothes. I’m sure she has a Shetland sweater or a sheepskin living in Lincolnshire.
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No, sorry. She’s strictly a “fur coat and no knickers” kind of girl.
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A retraction is noted…:)
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Also, you should be aware, her favourite perfume is eau de catshit. SInce she started modeling, she has rebelled against the grooming regime somewhat.
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We girls are all alike.
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…apart from choice of perfume (I hope).
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Smudge might prefer Eau of Veal Shank over Chanel No. 5. After all, a girl’s scent is very personal. Woof.
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Sniff
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A woman loves to be sniffed…well, by the right party that is.
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I agree, manners are on the outs. It’s too bad, too, as I see couples with no respect for each other and little for themselves trump up both because they don’t want to be seen as losers.
I am tired and if I find someone who is polite and attractive and loveable…well…
Scott
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Manners once were a given. No more. Today I scolded a woman for having her dirty street shoes up on a library chair. She took them down shocked I could be so offended. What can I say? Where I come from you just didn’t do that.
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People seem to be lacking pride in themselves as they chase “likes” on social media outlets. “a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements.”
I want to scream when I see pajamas outside of the bedroom or yesterday when I saw a BATHING SUIT at the hospital…oh yes I did.
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Oh my. I hope it was at least a one-piece…:)
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