The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-14
Tho Amenities Of Dnily Life.

T think one of the most common
forms of incivility as seen in daily life
is the failure TO show interest in what
people are saying to you. This lack of
interest. excused on the score Of pre-
occupation, or absence of mind, or in
attention, throws all effectual chill on
family or social intercourse, and acts
as a wet blanket wherever it is found.
The fact is that when people are to-
getber. thew should be interested IN
each others talk and each others con-
Germs. Letters, the morning paper;
ones own thoughts and plans should
be put aside in the family, and whether
in the sitting-room or at the table, a
common life shared should make possi-
bIe common conversation and polite
was very little girl when my
father gave me rule for conduct which
has never ceased to have with me the
force of an obligation. always look
at the person who is speaking to you.
Always look straight at the person to
whom you are speaking" The prac.
tice of this rule makes one good
listener, and a good listener is as es-
SSlllItl w III Soh o"SioAA e$o -
good raconteur.
The whole secret of personal maget-
ism and popularity is in the habit of
giving deferential attention to what Is
going on about you. Next to this
comes, and it has high place in family
amenities, the keeping in the back
ground your grievance.
Where people are sensitive, and the
greatert he scale of refinement, the
greater is apt to be the sensitiveness to
others moods and to praise or blame,
it is inevitable that feelings will be
hurt.
But my grievance, even if it be posi-,
tive and we'll. grounded is my personal
affair, and must not be permitted to
intrude upon the peace of the house
hold. It is mine, and, therefore, it Is
my privilege to put it with other un-
pleasant things quite out of sight. No
personal slight, on personal sorrow, on
individual infirmity should be allowed
to cloud the general happiness.
Among the neglected amenities OF
life, one finds often the scarcely veiled
indifference of the young to the old.
Younger people are so full of vitality,
so occupied, 20 rushed in these busy
days with their engagements and their
pleasures that they too frequently have
scant consideration for their seniors.
But age has it's rights as well as its
privileges, and is has claim on the
courtesy, the patience and the respect
of those who, however young they
may be now, will, if they live long
enough, in time be old themselves.
Among the needless brutalities OF
daily life is habit of brusque and in
discreet candor. "What hideous
bonnet you have pray, where did you
get it I? You look like fright" |
heard one sister say to another, and /
felt most indignant. The bonnet may
or may not have deserved the CON-
ment; that was matter or preference,
but the young woman capable of 30
rude a remark should have been made
to wear penitential sheet with holes
for her eyes until she had learned bet
ter manners. "You are looking very
ill.," if repeated often enough, will
make even q we'll person temporary
invalid, and where disagreeahle truths
will do no good, and no principle is in
volved in there expression, it is best
not to utter them. Silence is some
times, not always, but often, golden.