“Saying ‘Thank You’ is more than good manners. It’s good spirituality.” ~Alfred Painter

I’ve always been one to think manners make the man, er, person. If there’s a tipping point between liking and respecting someone for me, it usually comes down to how the person treats others. I guess it’s not so much manners per se, it’s a type of respect.

Dave Barry once said, “Anyone who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.”
I agree.

Whether it’s about intentionally making someone else look inferior in order to feel superior, oblivious rudeness or just plain meanness, they’re all still behaviors that bespeak a lack of awareness, grace and respect-  not character traits I’m attracted to.

I’m much more drawn to gracious persons- people who go out of their way to be kind and gentle, generous, honest, passionate and funny (and not at the expense of others). There’s so much strength there. And, I suspect, a life of grounding gratitude- and that, my friends, is Grace.