A Code of Honour

I am sometimes embarrassed by how we, as human beings, treat one another. Of course, this includes myself; I'm not trying to preach or declare myself as any kind of measuring stick for politeness. However, I am a steadfast believer in such things as chivalry, courtesy, kindness and manners.

So, tonight, I will delineate a few items I feel everyone should make a habit.

1. Men should not sit down while a lady has to stand. Give up your seat, be it on a bus, at school, at work, at home, anywhere. This is not old-fashioned or sexist. It is polite.
   
   
2. Rule #1 also applies to the elderly. If I see another teenager keep his seat on the light rail while an elderly rider stands, clutching desperately to the rail as the train screeches to a halt, I will be inclined to forcibly remove him from his seat.
   
   
3. Limit gum-chewing in public. I say "limit," because if you have really bad breath, then I think people will tolerate the gum-chewing to avoid the garlic stench from the pasta you just ate for lunch. ***As a side-note, do you public gum-chewers know that you look like cattle as you chomp away?
   
   
4. Say "please," say "thank you," and mean it.
   
   
5. Don't be cheap. Don't be stupid with your money -as I often am - but don't be cheap either. Tip well, give gifts (modest ones). The point here: Don't value $$$ more than people.
   
   
6. Men: Respect women. Treat them well. Better than well.
   
   
7. Women: Don't settle for someone who doesn't follow Rule #6.
   
   
8. Give compliments. Real ones.
   
   
9. Don't treat anyone as an inferior. A waiter, a cashier, a child. Recognize everyone's value. Everyone is an equal, because everyone is equally human.
   
   
10. Have compassion. Be sensitive, and don't be mean-spirited.
    
    

I've recorded 10 "rules." There are certainly more, but I like even numbers. Some of these are tougher than others, but they are all doable, and they are all important.

I really believe that a little more Honour in this world would help resolve a lot of problems. At any rate, it would make us (Humanity) all feel a lot better.