Is Civility a lost art? It is defined in the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary as : civilized conduct; especially : courtesy, politeness b : a polite act or expression. 

I’ve had various people in my life agree that it seems like people, in general, have less patience, are angry, and incapable of common courtesies such as please and thank you. 

I don’t believe this is based on specific demographics because one will find incivility everywhere; it doesn’t matter if one is rich or poor, red or green, young or old.  I’m not trying to waste my time sounding off on what is probably a futile attempt of getting others to agree that we all have a hand in this. Maybe it is us who needs to change, to start the cycle of civility in our communities.  Would one civil gesture by us be the driving force behind a return of old-fashioned civility?

For me, it feels right to hold a door open for someone.  When he/she doesn’t say thank you in return, I think to myself that he/she haven’t been taught properly.  I don’t hold the door open for you because I am beneath you; I hold the door open for you because we are comrades in this place called life. I personally believe if someone is being kind to you, then why not extend the same to them. 

What would happen if just once I let the door slam in his/her face?  Then it would be all over because he/she would  want to bring more incivility into the world -- cutting people off in traffic, using all of the toilet paper and not telling anyone, and even sneering at anyone who might be in his/her way at the local Goodwill.

So I guess we can’t really pick and choose those of whom get to experience our courtesies and politenesses.  We just have to be thankful that out of those fifty silent thank you’s, there is one who will rattle the chain of civility again.