whatever happened to...
#16
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not wishing to spoil the moment but I certently disapprove of those B'day, xmas and thank you cards: they r just a bloody waste of paper and r just a result of capitalism. I was brought up in Italy where we dont have such traditions and I dont think I am a less polite person than any other who was taught to write thank you cards. And tbh a lot of the "thank you and please" we ear are said with no meaning. If you went to Italy you would probably think: what a buch or rude people, but actually if you ever have a problem, strangers do go out of their way to help you...thats what really counts.
This morning I was about to get on the bus in Oxford with my 19months and 4months old sons- it was pooring down with rain- the bus driver refused to take my five pound note because he refused to give me £2.50 change_ and this is common practice here in Oxford. If I am in a public place and my son cryes I feel all the eyes of people on me as to say: what the bloody hell r you doing here, take your screeming child away.....but then they are very quick at using their thank you......
I guess that what Im trying to say is that sometimes actions are more meaningful than words...
btw I am not intending to upset any brits, I do have a lot of respect for you guys.
This morning I was about to get on the bus in Oxford with my 19months and 4months old sons- it was pooring down with rain- the bus driver refused to take my five pound note because he refused to give me £2.50 change_ and this is common practice here in Oxford. If I am in a public place and my son cryes I feel all the eyes of people on me as to say: what the bloody hell r you doing here, take your screeming child away.....but then they are very quick at using their thank you......
I guess that what Im trying to say is that sometimes actions are more meaningful than words...
btw I am not intending to upset any brits, I do have a lot of respect for you guys.
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#17
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Filling in the gaps on a pre-printed pad isn't a thank you imo... it says nothing apart from "my mum has told me I need to do this"
Also, I don't think "learning manners" or being polite should be a chore, it should be spontaneous and pleasurable.
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#20
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not wishing to spoil the moment but I certently disapprove of those B'day, xmas and thank you cards: they r just a bloody waste of paper and r just a result of capitalism. I was brought up in Italy where we dont have such traditions and I dont think I am a less polite person than any other who was taught to write thank you cards. And tbh a lot of the "thank you and please" we ear are said with no meaning. If you went to Italy you would probably think: what a buch or rude people, but actually if you ever have a problem, strangers do go out of their way to help you...thats what really counts.
This morning I was about to get on the bus in Oxford with my 19months and 4months old sons- it was pooring down with rain- the bus driver refused to take my five pound note because he refused to give me £2.50 change_ and this is common practice here in Oxford. If I am in a public place and my son cryes I feel all the eyes of people on me as to say: what the bloody hell r you doing here, take your screeming child away.....but then they are very quick at using their thank you......
I guess that what Im trying to say is that sometimes actions are more meaningful than words...
btw I am not intending to upset any brits, I do have a lot of respect for you guys.
This morning I was about to get on the bus in Oxford with my 19months and 4months old sons- it was pooring down with rain- the bus driver refused to take my five pound note because he refused to give me £2.50 change_ and this is common practice here in Oxford. If I am in a public place and my son cryes I feel all the eyes of people on me as to say: what the bloody hell r you doing here, take your screeming child away.....but then they are very quick at using their thank you......
I guess that what Im trying to say is that sometimes actions are more meaningful than words...
btw I am not intending to upset any brits, I do have a lot of respect for you guys.
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#26
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Thank you notes and all that was pretty common among my sister and her friends when they were at school and university and afterwards sharing cramped flats in London. Whenever a gaggle of girls came around the house for a weekend or dinner in due time M would get a bunch of thank you notes. I even sent a few myself after spending a weekend at a friend's parents place at the prodding of M (and this reminds me of the time I accidentally slipped 20 quid along with the note when I slipped it into the post box).
I don't think the lack of notes is indicative of poor manners. Saying thank you for a great dinner or weekend when you leave is fine. The notes are cultural more than mannerism.
But it's a tradition that is dying out. There's a big cultural gap between people my sister's generation who came of age in the mid 1990s and those coming of age today. I blame it on New Labour.
I don't think the lack of notes is indicative of poor manners. Saying thank you for a great dinner or weekend when you leave is fine. The notes are cultural more than mannerism.
But it's a tradition that is dying out. There's a big cultural gap between people my sister's generation who came of age in the mid 1990s and those coming of age today. I blame it on New Labour.
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#27
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a related issue I have.... I am always doing the polite thing of holding doors open for people and it irritates me no end when they don't even acknowledge you or say thank you....
you know a simple thank you wouldn't kill you....
you know a simple thank you wouldn't kill you....
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#29
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MM, xx
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