I agree, I agree, I agree!!!  I still have former teachers that we socialize with that I call Mr and Mrs.  It is so difficult even after all this time to break that habit.  When I call them they never wonder who it is since I still say Mr and Mrs and I'm not sure any of the other former students do.

The Please and Thank You and opening of doors especially by young boys is so important just to teach them to respect women.  That also is something that is going down the tubes mostly due to the women's libers.  What a shame.  When any male of any age holds the door for me I thank them with probably more emphasis than the situation warrents but want them to know that it is noticed and appreciated.

When I was little all grownups had the first name of "Mr." or Mrs."!  However, we rarely used Ma'am or Sir - but I remember when our neighbors from the south moved next door and it was an oddity to me that those kids always said that.  Better brought up, maybe, but it was also a culteral thing, I think.

It is weird to have a kid or much younger person use first names to me even now, though, but it seems much more prevalent.

Hey Hey Hey!!!!   I'm ALL FOR THE MANNERS being taught.  I just love to hold a door for someone, have them walk through and not even say "Thank You."  I, then, in a loud voice (and I have one) say, "YOU'RE WELCOME!!"     Some just ignore me, and you can tell some are, at that point, very ill at ease.   (~;    Yup, I'm ornery!!!   I do however, love for folks and kids to call me by my first name, or "Granny".  In that case, I don't think it's disrespectful.  Just shows me that they feel welcome and comfortable with me. 

I agree, In italy it is always formal to refer to the teacher in 3rd person, the language is exremely formal, like German and French, very young students call me "prof", again Italian custom, I am afraid the youngters are quite bad mannered when it comes to holding the door if in front of you, but not only youngsters.....

RITA.

I like to be called by my first name also. I don't see any disrespect in it. But I do like when the door is opened for me, and I make sure and give my thanks. Plus I won't hesitate to compliment parents on well behaved children.

Manners?    Most youngsters don't recognize the word.    I agree with you that common courtesy is dead to them.    I dunno what to do about it.  Nuthin I suppose.  

We had the same rain you did, drenching the yard and leaving puddles all over.   It was dry enough today for the yard crew to come in and mow.    It looks nice.

I had to warn them not to blow off the patio and scare the cats.   I offered the  kittens but the answers were all no.  ha ha

Ava

And m/w is microwave.  Sorry for the confusion.

What I find hard to understand is the kids who are taught manners, but still don't seem to know or remember them. I don't mind being called by my first name if I'm asked first. I really hate it when someone uses my first name and I don't have a clue who they are.

I thank you Bonnie for the explanations about the sod . It ' s new for me . I knew this existed for the palyground of football . But it is certainly not current in France . I am glad your soil starts to dry .

About the calling . Our children call us "Papa" and " maman"
and the grandchildren call us " Grandpère " and " Grandmère " at the ancient fashion .
Love       Michel

St. Augustine Floratem, gonna check it out on google. Cheers

I notice a lot of what you are talking about,  and also notice the "me first and damn you" drivers on the freeway as well.   Guess they feel that being big grown ups they don't have to have any manners now.

Being sort of shriveled up I am gratified that there are many young folk who obviously had good parents that raised them right who rush up to open doors and such things.   There are still good folks around,  just not as many I guess.