Flip flops, an essential item in the sun. But remember when walking across a crowded beach, every flip and/or flop creates a tidal wave of sand behind you. Usually over the poor chap who’s just applied sunscreen and laid back down. Either take them off on the sand or give people a wide berth.
Good Manners Please – Keep your voice down
When in an open plan office environment, it’s polite to keep your voice at a reasonable level when conversing – either on the phone or at your desk with someone. We don’t all need to hear the ins and outs of what you cooked for dinner last night, what report you’re being chased for or your challenges scheduling a meeting. I’m quite capable of talking at a level audible for the intended people in my close proximity only and would gratefully appreciate you doing the same. STFU!
Good Manners Please – When you mean to be specific, say “specific” not pacific
Please learn to say specifically properly. Unless you are genuinely talking about the mass of water that is the Pacific Ocean.
Good Manners Please – Pavement manners
When walking as a group of four or more and you insist on walking in a row like extras in a chorus line, look out for people walking towards you. For the sake of good manners, please when you spot someone walking towards you, rather than have a Mexican stand off its YOUR duty to step aside out of their way. You are the ones walking 4 abreast, taking up the whole pavement. Good manners would at least be for one person to drop behind therefore not forcing your passer by into a bush, a wall, or the dangerous road.
Good Manners Please – Swimming Tackle
Now I’ve become a more competent swimmer, I can understand the benefits to wearing Speedos (although you will never catch me wearing a pair!). A message to those that do, can you please have the good manners and make sure you buy a pair that fit and keep everything in. Seeing one of your little friends (a right testicle) pop out on every other stroke doesn’t make for a fun workout.
Oh and as a side note, if you are a larger gentleman, can you please be aware of how big your bow wave is on the turn at the end of the pool. With a huge mouth full of water, I now know how George Clooney must have felt in The Perfect Storm.
Good Manners Please – A life changing text message
When walking through a busy shopping centre, the contents of a text message on your mobile phone is not as important as the well being of the poor sucker you’re about to walk into. It is also far from good manners to then turn to said person with a look of hatred in your eyes.
On the very slim chance that text message is the most important bit of news of your life to date, then why risk ruining it because you are not looking where you are going?
Good Manners Please – At the sales counter
As we are concluding a purchase at the sales counter and you ask ‘Would you like the sales receipt in the bag?’ Please have the good manners when I say ‘no’, to not just carry out a robotic routine and place it in there anyway.
Good Manners Please – Keep your reactions within reason
Over the top reactions – yes some things in life truly are amazing and they wow you. There is however a level of calibration on this “wow scale”. As such, please do not react to every single fact or answer to your question as “AMAAAAAZING”, “WOOOOOOOW”, etc., at the top of your voice. Yes, I have a job, I’ve ordered chicken for my main meal and I used hair straighteners today. If that really wows you, and I’ve massively exceeded your expectations from these seemingly normal every day actions, you really ought to get out more. Otherwise, please don’t do it. It’s simply annoying. I’m sure my life is very exciting to you but frankly, you’re making me feel patronised and irritated.