#CivilSociety #GoodManners #Respect #CulturalDegradation #CivilityCampaign #SocialOrder #HonorCodes #SouthernGentlemen
In an engaging reflection shared by Rob Smith via RealClearMarkets, the importance of manners as the societal glue is explored with a compelling blend of personal anecdotes and a broader cultural analysis. Smith begins with a vivid personal story of dining with his daughter, using it as a springboard to discuss how manners are not just social niceties but the very foundation that facilitates smooth and respectful societal interactions. He laments the apparent decline of this civil society over the past few decades, pointing to increased violence, trash-strewn cities, and a disturbing trend of dishonesty in political and public discourse. Through his experiences in educational institutions with strict honor codes, Smith draws a sharp contrast between the past’s expectation for honesty and today’s seemingly rewarding of deceit for agenda advancement.
Smith doesn’t just critique the present state; he reimagines his role as a potential leader, envisioning initiatives to revitalize civility and manners, starting with Richmond, Virginia, known in his eyes as a former capital of good manners. Citing historical examples like Robert E. Lee’s implementation of the “Speaking Rule” at Washington and Lee University, Smith yearns for a return to a time when simple greetings and eye contacts were norms, not rarities. This desire extends beyond mere nostalgia; it’s viewed as a remedy to the impersonal and often hostile interactions increasingly prevalent in the digital age.
Moreover, Smith elevates the discussion by connecting manners to deeper values of respect, honor, and self-discipline. From the etiquette of dressing well to the expectations of behavior in the presence of women, each action and choice is seen as a testament to one’s character and respect for others. The anecdotes of his father’s lessons underscore a generational transmission of values that appears to be in jeopardy. Whether it’s the act of standing when a lady enters the room, ensuring punctuality, or the correct way to shake hands, each lesson is a thread in the fabric of a respectful society. Implicit in Smith’s narrative is a challenge to revive these practices, not for the sake of formality, but as expressions of a fundamentally respectful and cohesive society.
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