Madam, – I refer to Kate Holmquist’s column (Give Me a Break, Life Features, May 12th), and welcome such a long overdue article on manners.
It is evident that there has been a growing decline in good manners in our society for many years, for many sociological and psychological reasons, and it is about time the vast majority of decent, well-mannered people in Ireland shouted stop. Enough is enough.
Every day there are examples of poor manners, basic lack of self-respect and respect for others. Some of those engaged in such anti-social “activity” come from so-called affluent areas and have attended so-called good schools, yet have not even the basic skills of civilised social interaction.
Good manners cost nothing, yet make living in any society, a more pleasant and civilised experience for all citizens. So one wonders, why are there so many ill-mannered people in our society?
As Ms Holmquist has suggested, there should be “a compulsory course in schools on social etiquette”. Being academically educated is one thing, being a cultured person is more than academic education: it’s about respect for oneself and others. – Yours, etc,
JOE McBRIDE,
Stradbrook Grove,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Madam, – How right Kate Holmquist is. As a keen Munster supporter (and grandmother of four boys) I was horrified when I saw the photo of Ronan O’Gara meeting Queen Elizabeth (Page 1, May 8th).
I have tried to ensure that my grandsons pay respect to others – they have been trained(!) to stand whenever a lady comes into a room – something that even well-educated grown men seem to have forgotten. I should be horrified if they were to stand hands in pockets if meeting anyone, particularly a queen or a president. – Yours, etc,
HILDA POTTERTON,
Quarryland,
Dunboyne,
Co Meath.
Madam, – It was disappointing to read in Kate Holmquist’s column that she saw Ronan O’Gara’s posture when meeting Queen Elizabeth as an indication that “the current generation of teens and twentysomethings just don’t know how to behave”.
May I offer an alternative account of the inherent decency of professional rugby players, the kind of behaviour that does not come from “a compulsory course on social etiquette”?
My 17-year-old son and his friends were throwing a rugby ball around in the park one Sunday evening recently when a muscular figure whom they instantly recognised as one of their rugby heroes approached them. “Myself and a few friends need more players over here, would you mind joining us.”
As the boys tried to catch their breath, he proffered his hand and introduced himself. “We know”, the star-struck bunch managed to gasp. When the game was over, he thanked them for playing.
Let us not make superficial judgments about a “slouching hands-in-pocket greeting”. I am happy for my son to have role models who carry their celebrity status lightly, and are hard working, unpretentious and informal.They need no schooling in the “art of meeting and greeting”. – Yours, etc,
MAUREEN ROWAN,
Northbrook Avenue,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.