Rudeness vs. politeness: Too often the wrong side wins

Is it me or does it seem to be the norm that people are becoming increasingly ruder? It is a rarity that I ever hear these words uttered by our teen-age population: “Thank you” or “No, sir” or “Yes, ma’am.” There is no appreciation of what is given to them, only an expectation of what they want. Rude children turn into rude teen-agers turn into rude adults – and it all begins at home. It doesn’t cost you one thin dime to say “thank you” or to acknowledge a person’s act of kindness towards you. So tomorrow when you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with someone you love or at least marginally can stand, don’t forget to show your appreciation toward the cook/host.
Bring dessert, help with the cleanup, or at the very least just say “Thank you.” Good manners and politeness begins in the home, so you might as well start in the home that you just devoured five pounds of turkey in.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

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Speaking of rude people here are a few examples:

Sept. 11, 1:35 p.m.

Officer Ann Mahoney was flagged down in Fields Corner and told of an assault in progress inside of a Dorchester Avenue fish market. When the good officer ran inside she saw the 61-year-old proprietor on the floor bleeding from the nose and a 32-year-old Mattapan woman and a 29-year-old Roxbury man standing over him. Officer Mahoney pushed the two suspects toward the back of the store and radioed for assistance. Once order had been somewhat restored, the victim stated that the female had come into his store and ordered a fish dinner using foul language while doing so. Once the order was made, paid for and given to the belligerent lass, she put ketchup all over the food and pugnaciously demanded more tartar sauce. She left the store, but seconds later returned, demanding her money back. The victim refused, and the suspect, in a very lady-like manner, threw an array of packaged condiments at the victim and punched him in the face. Then she was joined by her man and the two proceeded to punch and kick the victim. All this over a couple of packets of tartar sauce! Both cowards were charged with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon [shod foot] on an elderly person. Pathetic.

Nov. 15, 10 a.m.

It was a lazy, rainy Sunday morning and Officer John Dougherty was addressing traffic complaints at the intersection of Dorchester Avenue and Hancock Street when he was approached by a frantic man who was yelling, “There’s trouble in Dunkin Donuts!” What could it be? Did the Latte machine lose a strut, spewing steamed milk on everyone? Were they out of Coolattas? Did they burn the decaf again? As Officer Dougherty ran toward the scene of unknown destruction, he observed a man leave the premises, hop onto a bike, and pedal away toward Freeport Street. Once inside he was approached by a victim/employee who stated that the man who fled on the bike was a regular panhandler who took his change and bought a breakfast sandwich. One bite later he stood up, insulted the employee, and threw the sandwich at her. After a few more insults about the victim’s ancestors, he fled. The egg sandwich-tosser was stopped on Orchardfield Street and he again began to yell insults and obscenities, but he was no longer armed to the teeth with croissant sandwiches. He was arrested for trespassing, disorderly person, and four warrants out of Quincy District Court. Such a nitwit. I’m Officer Mike Keaney and I approve of this message.

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Now I would like to thank all of the women and men of Area C-11 who donated enough money to buy more than 65 turkeys for families less fortunate throughout our District. … The guest speaker for our December monthly meeting (on the 10th) will be Detective Mike Charbonnaire of the Crime Stoppers Unit. … Finally, I would like to wish a Happy Third Birthday to my grandson, Maclin Keaney, Papa’s huggable, lovable little teddy bear.