Saturday, January 5, 2008

MANNERS!!!!!

I am so upset!!!! Where have manners gone? My husband and I were given a card to eat at a favorite resturant for a Christmas gift. We went there today. It is a buffett type resturant. I was walking back to our table and noticed this little old man. He was trying to use the ice cream machine and did not know how to use it. People were standing there waiting for their turn to get ice cream but no one was offering to help him. I was in total dismay. Of course he was not asking for help (as older people are embrassed to do so)but as they could see he needed help they could have offered. I went over to him and gently put my hand upon his and we got the ice cream together. When I got back to the table I was in tears. What has happen to kindness. I am sure our Lord was sadden by the lack of caring these people showed to a child of his. I pray I never get so wrapped up in myself I forget to help others.

23 comments:

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

Oh this upsets me so much. Especially when our elderly are treated rudely...it breaks my heart. I am sure the gentleman was helped as much by your kindness as your assistance. If only each and ever one of took the time to be helpful and caring with one another. (((hugs))))- Jenny

Anonymous said...

Girl you are right on! I hate it the way people have become. It may have to do with my job,but my heart has always been this way. I will stop people to help the older ones that need us. the way I feel people can get over it. Our elders have given their time and if they need help that is our job.

Mimi said...

People all seem to be so pre occupied with their own thoughts and needs that they fail to see the needs of others...and the pitiful thing about the situation is that we are teaching the children of today to be just that disrespectful of us...
It amazes me the lack of respect that many children show their parents let alone older adults...
All we can do is be ever mindful ourselves of others and pray for those who aren't.
Mimi

Vee said...

It has been a joy to catch up with you, Mary Isabella. Your Christmas sounded wonderful with all the food and fun of the grands being there.

Sometimes, I wait longer than perhaps I should so that I don't embarrass someone. If we listen to the Holy Spirit's urgings more, I think we'd all do better.

Bless you for being a caring heart. (Have really enjoyed the classical music!)

~*Marie*~ said...

Amen, sista!!! I did an almost similar post in October (http://stoneflowers.blogspot.com/2007/10/climbing-on-my-soap-box.html) and it was in the same fashion as yours. It makes me sooooo mad!!!! If people just noticed how far a little kindness to others goes, maybe more people would have some manners!

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Last week a lady in a wheelchair asked me to help her reach something at Wal-Mart and it actually made me feel special! Then she wanted me to read the label...and we went up the aisle...reach something else...read the label...I think she was going to keep me!

~~Deby said...

You are so right.....I would be like you...
ahhh...it is always something like that....really it is a narcisstic society these days.....ALL ABOUT ME....and I say..*no it is not*
You were letting your light shine...may we all remember to do that.
Deby

BittersweetPunkin said...

I am sure your kindness did not go unnoticed be either the gentleman or those waiting in line...they were prolly embarrassed at themselves once you stepped in....
You are an Angel....
Blessings,
Robin

willzmom said...

People seem to actually be shocked and surprised when you show them kindness. That's becuase it's missing in our world today. My husband has even had women get mad at him when he holds open the door for them! It's crazy!

blessings said...

And to think these are the people that raised us, gave us the best recipes ever, made being grandparents cool, let us grocery shop in the pantry and take quilts from the linen closet. Blessings...Polly

Unknown said...

The world would be a better place if we would all lend a helping hand when it was needed. Thank you for being the sweetheart that you are.

Britt- Sparkled Vintage Charm said...

that was so sweet of you to help. I am sure he appreciated it. xo britt

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

we could use more sweethearts like you out there!

kari and kijsa said...

oooh how a little kindness goes a long way...and sadly there seems to be very little kindness available! How wonderful caring for others, even at those times when the gesture seems so simply obvious! Thank you so much for sharing

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Unknown said...

This distresses me, too! It is sad that so many have become spectators. I love spending time with seniors! They have so much to offer and so many stories to tell. We need to remind ourselves that God has allowed them to be here this long because He isn't finished with them yet.

I loved your comment on my blog. My hubby was born in 1953, too. (His Birthday is the day before mine.) I had such a beautiful image of seeing your Mother pamper your Dad! My Mom wasn't like that. And, really, she had already begun to embrace some of the women's lib. My Mom even went back to college while I was a teen. That began to change her as well.

Now, my Mom is migrating back to spiritual values and becoming a bit more conservative. God is at work!

BLESS YOU!
KJ

Find Your Wings said...

People are so cold that do not know the Lord. They do not think like we do-our mind is suppose to be the mind of Christ with HIS feelings and purposes. I had a situation this summer that I needed a piece of tape-I had entered a scarecrow contest in our towns Octoberfest. I needed a piece of tape for my table cover and this lady had a gaint roll and actually almost ran with it after the dirty look she gave me. I could not believe it!!! I had to take it to God-I wanted to let my flesh rise because I'm pretty fisty!! God showed me that night how miserable she was in her life. The elderly get treated worse at times. On a lighter note-thanks for the comment about my two grandbabies. I just edited new pic. of the others will post them soon. I also put a link on my blog to your's. God Bless-Becky of Find Your Wings Designs

vivian said...

How sad.. Maybe this was part of Gods plan for you today to be the blessing to some one else. Do you know that hymn "make me a blessing.. make me a blessing, Out of my life , may jesus shine..make me a blessing, make me a blessing oh saviour I pray.. make me a blessing to someone today." Its one of my favorite little songs.. and always a little prayer in my heart!
It is sad to see so many uncaring, or just people living in a state of being totally unaware of how others and their situations.
blessings to you dear!
vivian

tea time and roses said...

Oh Mary I cannot believe that anyone would treat an elder in this manner. I am sometimes completely heartbroken with the disrespect and treatment of those who should be held in the highest esteem!!

Beverly

Unknown said...

So glad you went and helped him. I don't know why it seems like this anymore. Perhaps everyone is in such a hurry all the time. But I'm sure he appreciated your kindness. Have a wonderful weekend.

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

What a kind, loving gesture! Love is definitely an "action" verb, and the Lord used you in a simple way to illustrate such a magnificent truth. (And the bonus is that not only was the man blessed by one act of kindness by a stranger, now countless others are blessed by your testimony.)
Blessings~
Cathy

Karin said...

oh boy....I could fill an entire blog talking abut this topic. Sometimes I am in awe of the kindness of people and then I am completely dismayed by the lack of empathy......Thank goodness you were there to help.....karin@creativechaos

Barbara said...

years ago...(circa 1984) we were stationed in germany and we were at mcdonalds with our 3 girls..and at the next booth sat an elderly german woman...she was counting out her pfennigs and counting them again and again...(like maybe they would multiply each time she counted them) and at the next booth sat a group of german teens...they kept knocking down her cane over and over each time she struggled to pick it up...i kept helping her...and would give the kids a MOM LOOK..(ask my kids you DON'T want a MOM LOOK LOL)..now as americans in a foreign land...and military...we were NOT ALLOWED TO interfere...(it is written in the military orders...) well heck...i went to the manager and told him what was going on...and he handled the situation...later on i also asked him to give her a meal...and paid him for it...but not let him know where it came from...(her back was to us so she was oblivious to what i did)...well heck ya know those eyes in the back of your head (that i had my son BELIEVING i had?) as we were leaving she yelled to the door...VIELEN DANKE!...HMMMM THINKIN SHE HAD THOSE EYES TOO! LOL...
HUGZ

Lena said...

I think that someone noticed that you helped and learned from your example. I think that is the best that we can do at times. I imagine that gentleman has stopped to think of your kindness more than once, since.