CIVILITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12712, 6 August 1919, Page 8

CIVILITY.

In dealing with the question “Is Civility out of fashion?” a writer in an English exchange says : ** tVe have just buried Mrs Grundy in an ignominious grave, unwept, unhonoured-, and unsung. AVell, may the old dame rest in peace. T always thought she was not such a terrible dragon after all. if she were managed properly. And nowone looks around and wonders if that other dame, Civility, is soon to experience a similar fate. She is, alas, becoming unusual and old-fashioned—the sure precursors of a coming extinction. Perhaps it is the Great War, the strenuous days, the anxious nights, and the ever-present, strain that is doing it; in short, we apparently have no time I to be ‘civil.' The London policeman,! formerly such a. cheery and obliging | personality, seems to have lost his sense of humour; he even these days goes on ‘ strike.’ The conductor, or rather conductress, has no use for civility. With a sharp command to ‘ push on,’ while she pulls the strap she shows' no concern whether one’s head goes first or one’s feet, and you are lucky if in, the sudden lurch forward you catch at the cord that means safety. The haughty young lady behind the counter cares not whether you buy or not; in fact, she would very much rather you did not, and a look of relief passes over her bored countenance if she is able to inform vou that ‘ that shade of ribbon cannot be got nor,’ etc., and with renewed animation discusses things that concern after hours with her companion. Should vou faintly suggest that, she might stow you something else, she _ withers you with "a glance, with considerable emphasis deposits the unoffending drawer or box on the counter, and awaits, inert and silent, while yon grovel for something approximating to what you require. As for our present-day public waitress, she fills ms with both awe and alarm. Many times she pass my table, but for her I do not exist. She has other and more alluring gents to attend to at a neighbouring table- Gallant young men in khaki discuss the time or day with her, and, for aught I know, the peace terms. When finally 1 do arrest her attention, I. am again confronted with a Frowning brow, and am made very decidedly to feel that ‘ women should refresh at home.' And so on, and so forth, till I begin to wonder if never more well my care be gladdened by the sound of ‘Yes, mam,’ and ‘Thank you, mam.’ Not necessary, you say,, these clays. Well, perhaps not. But I, for one, null mourn sincerely if 4 civility ’ is buried deep and for ever. Because, mark you, once thoroughly lost we shall nevpr be able to resurrect her in the peace clays we are all. patiently anticipating- The influence of gentleness and consideration is a precious one, and though the ‘ great big world -will keep turning’ all tire same, we shall miss something that makes life both better and sweeter if we eliminate civility from our daily life.” Some of the circumstances have their parallel in this Dominion, and are found distressing by the woman shopper and diner-out.