Originally published 092823

Stand.

Shake.

Speak.

“It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”

“What a polite young man!”

Learning my manners was even better than learning about numbers.

Well, almost. Numbers go on forever. You can count on manners, but only up to a point.

Still, manners gave me something numbers could not. Instead of being the weird, quiet kid, I could be the polite, weird, quiet kid.

A smile from other people beat the heck outta that other thing. You know, the look.

I still see the look occasionally, but it doesn’t bother me like it once did. I just rub some people the wrong way (sometimes before a word is exchanged).

I’m tired of masks. I’d rather just be myself.

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Context: Being oneself is more complicated than it seems, you know, because manners still matter.

Update: The 050124 entry in 047 is a perfect example of such complications.

The desire to be “cool” overrode my training (and inclination). Cringeworthy memories.

Featured Image: True or not, I love that quote. And for those who noticed the error of my compositional ways, that was a manufactured teachable moment (know the rules so you can deliberately break them to amplify the message).

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