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our manners?

own business and someone bangs into you, there's rarely a hint of a "sorry"'? Or how many motorists cut you off on the freeway, often with their cell phones parked under their chins? Or-my pet peeve-lvhen you are in church or the cinema. or in the middle of a speech, and a cell phone goes off?

Recently I needed to find a roofing company for a new roof-a large job. I cannot possibly explain in less than three chapters of my next book my frustration and the horrendous manners (let alone the appalling lack of salesmanship) of the majority of the roughly dozen contractors I was forced to contact. Calls went unansrvered. callbacks never came, appointments were not met, bids arrived late or not at all, Promises were conveniently forgotten, and stupid outright lies told.

Bad manners and rudeness are on the rise. A recent survey showed that over a third of respondents believed that the manners of Americans are Door. This r,vas an increase of 50c/r' i'ron.r the same poll in 2O02. Nclw, none of us would admit to having bad manners. but that seems to mc to be the problern. Bitd manners rlrc not just about holding a knif-e and fbrk; it is also about how we trcat others and the respcct rve shorv for other pettple's tirnc. ilpinions and beliefs.

Have you noticed when a business mcetin-9 is called how many arrive latc-rvithout often a hint of an explanation. and no matter that the c.e.o. is sitting around waiting? Or, during job interviervs, hor'v many arrive late or do not shorv at all without calling? No one says "please" or "thank you" any more. We have all become noncommunicative, and etiquette has gone out of the rvindow.

Now rvho do you blame-parents. teachers, our youth, or technology? As I read the other day, "Technology was givcn to us, but the instructions were not."

At the end of the day it is up to each of us as individuals to take rcsponsibility fbr our own actions. lf you take it personally when sttmeclne does not call you back, rnake it equally personal that you call back wherl someone leaves a message fbr you.

I rvould like to take this oppclrtunity to rvish all our readers a very happy and successful Nerv Year, and I pledge that all of us at The Merchanr will do our level best to extend every courtesy and assistance to anyone who needs our help or advice. Have a great 2004.