Courtesy is Not a Tip
Carnal Reason points out some neglected merits of courtesy.
“My nine year old daughter asked why she should be polite to someone who has been rude to her. Courtesy is not a tip handed out to people who deserve it. Courtesy is not about being nice; it is not even about other people. Courtesy is a discipline with the goal of mental clarity under emotional stress. As long as anger is not allowed to displace manners, the mind remains in control. The polite man remains rational. The man who rages becomes unthinking, and thereby stupid.”
Yes, I rather like that.
“The man who rages becomes unthinking, and thereby stupid.”
That’ll be me yesterday then. Digging my fingernails into my palms, in a vain attempt to blot out the distorted and tinny R&B blasting out of some teenage girl’s mobile phone, held two feet away from my ear.
That’ll be me thinking “Go on. A life sentence in prison is worth it.”
🙂
Despite the post above I wouldn’t want to give the impression that your host is possessed of Zen-like calm. Or that I think highly of pacifism (I don’t). Or that I imagine things can always be sorted out by “dialogue” (I don’t). I’m pretty sure there are times when rage and violence are eminently suitable, indeed imperative, reactions.
Though possibly not in the case of the girl with the mobile phone.
Perhaps capitalism has a solution?
http://www.acousticfingerstyle.com/BoseHeadphones.htm
For most things, apparently. http://www.tbotech.com/stun-gun-775v.htm I jest, of course.
These are cheaper than the Bose, much more discreet, and they sound great, but you must be able to tolerate earplugs. http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.aspx I never move about the city without ear protection–as much for my sanity as my hearing.
Re courtesy, great insight from pwyll.
Yes, I’m sure they sound great, but do they deliver 775,000 volts and subdue annoying teenagers?
Yeah, but I’m rational, too. More or less.
“The man who reges becomes unthinking and therefore stupid.”
Like David Thompson when he rants about religion.