Wednesday, August 3, 2011

I spoke with a friend earlier today.  We tapped on an intriguing subject.  How there are things that cost nothing—good manners and taste, for example—yet so few possess them.  Then we went on to ponder just how one should go about approaching someone who seems to have their act together is a grown functioning adult and yet, has poor hygiene. 

My take on this was that if a person isn’t exposed to proper hygiene growing up and learns to make it a priority, then it doesn’t seem to enter their radar of things to pay attention to as an adult.  It seems to matter not that those around them adhere to a silent code of hygiene. 

I said the same was true of good manners and taste.  For those who don’t have a daily example, either while growing up or as an adult, of how to exact good manners, taste and hygiene, those things seem irrelevant.  Or, perhaps they’re aware they stand apart from others but are unaware or lack the energy to get to where they want to be.

Think of it this way.  If a person’s primary objective is to work himself or herself to exhaustion and beyond to put just barely enough food on the table and a roof over their heads, do you think they’re going to concern themselves with what they might consider trivialities—good manners, taste and hygiene? 

Many are quick to pass judgment on these folks.  Me, I tend to slow things down and take a closer look when faced with someone like this, for I want to discern the reason behind their lack of…whatever.  Not so I can point a finger, but so that I might better understand from whence they come. 

Times are tough.  No need to point that out, for folks already know.  Things are probably going to get worse before they improve.  As such, I believe it’s up to each of us to show a higher level of understanding and exact more meaningful patience when dealing with others.  We shouldn’t expect them to behave or think the same as we would.

People are different.  Unique qualities are what I believe make the world a better place.  And better still, when I see folks making an effort to understand others—really and truly interpret where they’re coming from, why they do the things they do and think the way they do, that gives me chills from head to toe.  Why?  Because it shows that folks are willing to look outside themselves to connect with others.