Jack’s Winning Words 1/21/14
“For me, politeness is the sine qua non of civilization.”  (Robert A. Heinlein)  Another virtue in the Great Virtues book is, politeness.  I read that NYC is the politest city in the world.  London comes in 15th.  Some Canadian police depts are giving out ”polite tickets” to courteous motorists.  It might be interesting to make note today of common courtesies that you see.  What “manners” can you remember being taught in your home?    ;-)  Jack

FROM IKE AT THE MIC:  Isn't it interesting that if you interchange the letter "t" in polite and the letter "c" in police, then you end up with polite?  Could that mean we should police or "ticket" rudeness? mmm .====JACK:.  Is honking the car horn a sign of rudeness, or a polite way of pointing out someone else's rudeness?

FROM TARMART REV:   "Giving God thanks before eating"; "Respecting adults and authorities"; "Honoring the 10 Commandments"; "Do unto others as you would want to be treated." . . . off the top of my head this early in the morning.====JACK:  It's no wonder that you turned out the way you did.  When did you become "the little preacher boy?"

FROM HY YO SILVER: Classic

 FROM HR IN MICHIGAN:  The author says that politeness alone is not enough. while it is important to be polite you can still be without morals or scruples. He uses as an example the politeness that the nazi guards would exhibit to their prisoners while being escorted to the gas chambers.====JACK:  I think that he called them, Polite Bastards.  In fact, he used the "B" word frequently throughout the book.  I wonder why? ====HR:  BTW, I read the NY TIMES review when it was first published in 2001, I think. It received a glowing review. The critic felt that Comte-Sponville did a great job of making philosophy accessible and of writing a book that was good guidance on living a moral life. Easier said...

 FROM BFC IN MICHIGAN:  What's sine qua non mean?====JACK:  Politeness is "the essence" of civilization.  There is no cilization without politeness.

 FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything at all. ====JACK:  There were many like that.  A Swedish one that I heard was "Tyst med du."  Be quiet.

 FROM FACEBOOK LIZ:  i despair if nyc is truly the most polite city. even chicago is better. ====JACK:  I don't trust polls, but like to read them.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Kindness tops politeness in my book, but of course a kind person is probably also polite!  I'm surprised that that NYC  is # 1 in that category!  We were discouraged from demeaning talk about others, or each other, said grace at meals,  were taught  to consider  others' feelings etc.  in our generation we had no Facebook or Twittering anonymously. Children were taught to respect authority and their elders.  I wouldn't have dared to sass my parents, as I recall!  We used to be more "polite" didn't we? As a Society, I mean....====JACK:  Politeness means nothing when it comes from an unkind person.

 FROM KF IN MICHIGAN:  Pretty much I remember manners coming first beyond all else!  Have you perused George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour? It is interesting and relevant! (I'd be happy to lend you our copy if you'd like : )   Wish I had a few hundred copies to pass around!