She came through the door with what looked like a Big Gulp in the crook of her right arm and a greasy paper sack in her left hand. Along with her friend, she made her way in and found a table where she proceeded to plop down, placing the limp brown bag in front of … Continue reading Yo Sonic has to go, phở sho!
Tag: manners
Pretty is as pretty does
In the south, we place a premium on “being sweet.” And it can be a real struggle as I’ve written about before. So since we all aren't born angelic like Gone With the Wind’s über-virtuous Melanie Wilkes, here are a few idioms about the art of being sweet, or not. Pretty is as pretty does. … Continue reading Pretty is as pretty does
And we say Ma’am…
"Yes, Ma'am!" I say it to this day as thoughtlessly as I breathe. As a child, whether I was speaking to my grandmothers, to my teachers, or to the housekeeper, I dared not leave the "ma'am" off the end of a "yes," "no," or "thank you." As an adult, I still say it. It's just … Continue reading And we say Ma’am…
Daddy’s Little Girl
I am Daddy's little girl. The first-born. The only daughter. While everyone says I look like Mama, I am infinitely more like Daddy in temperament and personality. Daddy and I are people people. We like to talk to strangers. We like to joke. We have both been known to dance spontaneously if the right song … Continue reading Daddy’s Little Girl
Hometraining has nothing to do with puppies
"A car is useless in New York, essential everywhere else. The same with good manners." Mignon McLaughlin Down here, we call it “hometraining.” You know - manners, comportment, etiquette, social graces. I know you all are saying, “Manners schmanners. I can remember which fork to use, please and thank you, ma’am and sir, and all … Continue reading Hometraining has nothing to do with puppies
Walking the social tightrope
I remember Granny Mac coming home from Eastern Star and saying, "I saw that Minne Lee, and she didn't say hello, kiss my foot, 'ner nuthin'!" Snubbed she was, snubbed! The social protocol had not been followed. She had not been acknowledged. It was easy then to identify when one had been given the brush-off. … Continue reading Walking the social tightrope