Daily Egyptian Editorial 05
Sponsored by 710 BookStore - - - http://www.seventen.com/DE Columnist: Where are your manners?
Where are your manners?
Laura Teegarden
DE Columnist
What happens between the first date and the relationship months down the road? A lot, obviously, but we seem to pay a lot less attention to manners as time passes.
It's the first date and you are out to dinner. You are trying to act perfect, look perfect and essentially, be perfect. But your mind is racing. Did I remember to put my napkain on my lap? My date looked at my smile - shoot, do I have something in my teeth? Am I eating too fast? - I should just save the rest for when I can really eat at home.
Does that sound familiar? We've all been there.
Yet months later you find yourself admitting to your boyfriend or girlfriend that you haven't showered in days, asking them to check your nose for boogers or talking as you chew while spitting Cocoa Puffs everywhere. And I know it's not just me after recently watching my roommate and her boyfriend of over a year fight viciously over a piece of beef that had fallen out of his gyro. I guarantee in the beginning of their relationship, he would have handed the meat over without a fight.
So what happens between the first date and later that makes manners fly right out the window? Are the diminishing manners just a matter of really getting to know someone and feeling comfortable or have we lost a sense of sophistication and romance as a society? I am going to have to go out on a limb here and say it's our generation. After all, have you ever watched an old couple where the old man attentively helps his wife put on her coat, carries her luggage and opens the car door for her? I'm pretty sure comfort isn't an issue for a couple who just finished their 50th wedding anniversary.
Let's face it, we initially use manners with someone to reel them in. For example, there is no way that my ability to balance my spoon on my nose or finish an entire meal in less than five minutes is going to impress my date. Skills like that can only appear after I have relied on my manners to impress my date. As time goes on, manners weaken and you really get to know someone.
In addition, there seems to be a double standard when it comes to men and women. For example, it is funny when a guy farts in bed, but for most guys, they can't even acknowledge that girls are capable of such a deed. Or if a guy can scarf down a submarine sandwich within minutes - it is an accomplishment, but if a girl beats him, people are appalled.
Basically, you should be who you are and hope those manners that your parents taught you over the years kick in when you need them. And if you weren't paying attention during that lesson, the most I can offer is: Don't rest your elbows on the table, chew with your mouth closed and for the love of God, don't show off your ability to fit an entire can of pop in your mouth - needless to say, I didn't hear from that guy again.
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Copyright 2009 Daily Egyptian Editorial 05