I went into the bank to cash a check yesterday. As I was leaving a young man came hurrying up along side and said, "Let me get the door for you. He opened the door into the entryway and then said,"Let me get the outside door, too. My daddy always said I should open the door for a pretty lady." He opened the door so I could exit. As I was going out I said, "Your daddy was a good man." The young man said, "Yes, he was. He taught me well." We both waved at each other and got into our trucks. I was smiling when I got into our truck and Brian ask why. I told him that the young man had just called me a pretty lady. He opened the doors for me. Sometimes just a little politeness can make the day seem sunnier. dooley
How lovely! What a lovely change from the norm nowadays which seems to be letting doors slam in your face or someone barging through without a word of thanks (at which point I usually say in a loud voice "You're welcome ,don't mention it)
Now I think that is so very nice. When I see a grumpy cashier while waiting to pay and it becomes my turn, I compliment her about something and smile. It changes her disposition in one second. She just can't help it. It very well may change her whole day. If everyone did that just once a day there would be so many less grouchy people in our neighborhoods. I have a little red convertible. When I drive down the street in the Summer with the top down and someone is walking on the street, if our eyes meet, I stick my hand up and give them a gentle wave and smile. My hubby asked me if I knew them. I said no but their day will be happier now. It's very simple but a good thing to do. Just try smiling when you walk into a store. It's fun. It's a good thing to do for others and for yourself. :-D
A little thing like this costs nothing but really can change someone's whole day. The young man was taught well and I hope he went on to improve other pretty ladies day.
When we first moved to Texas five years ago I was pleasantly surprised to find out how very polite and friendly people are here. When you meet someone walking on the sidewalk it's always a "good morning, how are you today" even if you've never met the person. Friends and acquaintances come up and say, "Hello!" and it's accompanied by a big hug. If you meet or pass a car on our road it's always a wave and friendly smile. When I go into a store or the bank it's always a cheery, "Good morning, Mrs. Collins. How are you today?" They wait for an answer, too. I've almost become a friendly Texan but am not too sure of giving someone a hug if I don't know them. A friendly wave is good though. That young man in the bank is typical of the friendly helpful people here but they don't all call me a pretty lady. lol
That does make your day doesn't it. My grandson's are like that young man...oldest one went to the post office with me when he was 11, he held the door for me but didn't follow me in...there were two women just getting out of their car and he was holding the door open waiting for them. The State Slogan has been "The Friendly State" since 1930, used to be signs along the highway with the slogan on them. But over time 'friendly' seems to have been forgotten, it does help you recognize the ones whose families have been here for a few generations though.
Dooley is right about alot of courteous people down here. Youngsters are still taught to say "yes/no sir" and "yes/no ma'am". I was going in the store recently and a group of "not nice looking" loud boys were ahead me and one of them told the boy nearest to the door... "Hey dude.... hold the door for her... where were you raised!" The boy apologized. I thanked them... they returned to their loudness... I shopped with a smile. Now.. if they would have called me a pretty lady... I probably would still be smiling.
Isn't it wonderful how just one or two little kindness performed with a smile can make a day so very bright. Thanks for sharing
My brothers and I were taught to hold the door open for anybody behind us regardless of age or sex. Only one bad experience, A Grandmother looking lady turned around and said "its about time you boys learned your place". I was tempted to grab her by the collar and yank her back through the door.
When we moved to Texas, I told my husband I'd never been "ma'am'd" so much in my life! It wasn't that folks in New York were impolite (quite the opposite) but "ma'am" was not usually employed, and I rather enjoyed it! Since we moved to the country and I go into town once a week, I haven't opened a door for myself in years. One of the workers at the local feed store even offered to stop by the farm on his way home and unload the 50 lb. feed sacks I'd purchased. We are not on his way home. Dooley, I can see why that young man called you a pretty lady. Outside and inside, you are a pretty lady!
Thank you all for your answers. Now, I feel good today. The sun is shining and people are talking about good things and I'm still a pretty lady. dooley
Well, I'd hate to be the wet blanket here - But aside from pretty ladies who are right now smiling, confidence tricksters will be grinning from ear to ear over this too. As reading this thread will give them some new insight into refining their ways... But as for Texas being one of the friendliest places in the world - Well, I too have heard that (from a lady Texan). But she now lives here in my part of the world - Simply because she gets here what she didn't get elsewhere. Which is the privilege (extended only to ladies) to cut any queue. Yes, we really do take the "ladies first" to an unimaginable extreme... It doesn't really matter if it's at the grocery store or in a bank. if you are a lady, you can jump the queue and get your work done first, (and nobody will be able to do anything about it)! Really, I'm not joking... Even traffic policemen don't bother giving a ticket to any lady driver who runs through a red light, or overspeeds, or ends up doing something else equally irresponsible. And so they (the traffic policemen) then vent out their frustration upon someone like me instead... However, the fun starts when 2 ladies at once try to jump the queue (or run through the red light of the traffic signal simultaneously) - And end up fighting each other!!!
There's hope for the human race! Dooley, of course you are a pretty lady. You've got a big, warm heart. We've tried to teach our children to be polite. A please and thank you won't kill you. Holding the door for those behind me is something I do without thinking about it. I feel that most Norwegians are rude, sorry to say, but there are of course exceptions, and they always brighten my day.
