We don’t have to share the same interests or engage in a long conversation, but whatever happened to manners? This wasn’t a stranger or someone from a distant culture—it was a person I deal with regularly.
I know what you’re thinking: maybe she’s simply tired of my endless prattle. To that I say—pish posh! What kind of philistine finds cloud formations and celestial bodies boring? (Just kidding.) That’s not really the point. I’m talking about basic courtesy, civility—and perhaps a touch of intellectual curiosity. After all, you're only hurting yourself.
My more cynical friends always ask me, “Why do you even bother with the sans-culotte?” I suppose it’s because I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I’m an old street urchin myself—an expert in nothing, but curious about nearly everything. Still, my mother raised me to be well-bred—to respect others and mind my manners.
If we can’t raise our heads to the sky, stop to smell the flowers, or carry on a simple, polite conversation, then the world—and all its beauty—will pass us by. Seize the day, my friends—carpe diem!
~ Giovanni di Napoli, October 17th, Feast of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
