Old Ways

There can be a charm to old ways.

Men opening car doors for women, children who respect elders, proper table manners, dancing where you hold the other person and move with grace instead of standing apart with some version of a seizure, poetry that rhymes, deals which are sealed with a handshake, hand-written thank-you notes, respect for the flag, knowing and taking care of your neighbors, being slow to criticize but willing to make ethical judgments, taking responsibility for your actions, not using profanity in public, not bragging, taking pride in your work, and acting like an adult.

You know the list and you are well aware that not all of the old ways were good ways. Many of the "good, old, days" were terrible. There was, however,  a common theme of respect, both for yourself and for others, which ran through many of the practices.

The good ones should be honored and handed down.