Objectionable Behaviors. . .

While this kind of scene might be. . .  tolerable in children this young, there are far too many guys over the age of 18 who, apparently, know no better and see little reason to change.  Don't believe me?  Look around the next time you're in an Olive Garden, Applebee's, or similar type of restaurant.

I noticed an interesting statement made yesterday by a Mr. J. as I perused The Daily Prep blog this morning, which resonated with me.  It seems like a very good idea to share his comment here.  The gist of it goes like this: "I have one life to live, and it is mine.  While I cannot [and do not] control the behavior of others, I can and do avoid those whose behaviors are objectionable."  

I might be misquoting Mr. J. slightly, but the basic idea is sound.  Gross, crass, boorish, thoughtless, and inconsiderate personal habits and (anti-) social behaviors ARE a huge turn-off for many people of both sexes.  We are not bound to endure older children or adults who cannot manage to get their acts together socially speaking.  It should not even need to be said, guys, but I'll say it anyway.  If and when you are out of high school, college, or university, indulge in objectionable idiosyncracies at your social and professional peril.

And if you've got children of your own, begin teaching them pleasant (table) manners plus other desirable behaviors and habits sooner rather than later.  While kids need constant reminders of course, waiting until they are 9 or 10 is too late to start with stuff like this.  Don't miss that particular boat!  We owe it to our children (and the various people they encounter throughout their lives) to ensure that kids possess, practice, and refine basic social skills.  

It's no laughing matter.  And if you are unsure of a few finer points of polite behavior and table etiquette yourself, there is certainly no shame in consulting a book or two on the subject.  I recommend anything by Amy Post and/or Peter Post.  I have a few such books on my own shelves in the living room.  Just type one or the other name into Amazon's search feature, and you'll turn up various titles that will be extremely useful to purchase and consult whenever necessary.  As the Quaker Oats TV commercials with Wilford Brimley used to say in the late 1980s, "It's the right thing to do."

 Scratching your ass and/or adjusting yourself in public are just two offensive habits in a long list of offensive habits that far too many average guys engage in routinely and without embarrassment these days.  You don't have to look hard in public places to observe various permutations of what 'm talking about.  What I want to know is, what were Mom and Dad doing during this guy's formative years?  Raising boys to become pleasant young men with some grooming and gentility involves more than simply putting a roof over their heads and food on the table.