Dr. Jodi Stoner and Lori Weiner are not only colleagues, they are first cousins and best friends. They have collaborated on a small book on manners that is packed with excellent suggestions and reminders for the young and not so young.
My generation, which I believe am part of the authors', were raised to say Ma'am and Sir, please, and thank you, to rise when clergy come into the room, etc. I see children and young people answering at best 'yes' or 'no'; more often just yeah or nah to questions.
Why this gap of manners has occurred, I don't know.
Even those of us who grew up in two language households, like I did, knew the other languages had a formal and casual form. The formal language is always used with parents and grandparents, or used to be. In the case of aquaintances, if you were asked to switch from formal to informal language, that was a great compliment.
The lack of manners correlates to the lack of respect in general for child and other people.
These two authors have deftly written, with catchy inserts and illustrations, a book that should be read by all young parents, as well as the general populace.
To create structure in your life such as treating others with respect translates to great self-esteem both giver and receiver. Then that kindness is passed along to the next person.
Good for authors Stoner and Weiner! A book small enough to get the job done!
Well done, Ladies!
ellen george
Good Manners are Contagious, by Dr. Jodi Stoner and Lori Weiner, ISBN: 978-0-615-25388-6, Spinner Press, review by ellen george
