Good Manners are not Dead

There was a report in the news here the other day saying that good manners, consideration for others and chivalry no longer existed in Australian society. I have to disagree with that.

A few entries ago I wrote about how my running coach removed his hat when we were at the table and did not put it back on until everyone had left.

After I finished the 10km run we had to take the train back to where we had parked. When I got on the train, I saw that there were some seats further down the car, as I started to make my way to them a guy got up and offered me his seat and he then went to the ones further down the car. At the next station some people got on and he again offered his seat to another woman and moved to another one.

Earlier this week I met up with a friend for coffee at school. I was dressed up in heels and loaded down with my book bag and gym stuff. As we were walking up a set up stairs I missed stepped and started to wobble. Without thinking he grabbed hold of my arm to make sure that I didn't completely lose my balance. He then offered to carry one of my bags for me. Later that same day I caught my heel in the dirt between the sidewalks. I then had some kid in his late teens stop to make sure that I was ok.

I think the people who wrote that article needs to spend some time up here. Or else, the people I know are the exceptions and not the rule. I hope that's not the case. I hope that the manner less people are the exception.