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My parents taught me:

  • to say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘no ma’am’
  • to respect my elders and those in authority
  • to be polite in public and in private
  • TO ALWAYS ACT LIKE A LADY

Apparently common courtesy has become extinct today, especially in the world of professional sports.

I sat in the nail salon yesterday watching television and saw the story of Serena Williams’ outburst at the U.S. Open. In case you missed it, Miss Williams did not like a call the umpire made and proceeded to ‘mouth off’, as my Daddy used to say, to the umpire. The umpire penalized her. Williams then had the audacity and total lack of class to turn around and continue her tirade to the umpire. She told the umpire to not look at her! The umpire penalized her again, but I’m still wondering why the umpire did not simply throw her out of the Open. Her behavior was hideous. Here is the clip.

 

Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. Williams has had verbal altercations before with line judges and umpires, even threatening them verbally. Equally unfortunate is the fact that this behavior is not confined to tennis. Many professional athletes, and even college athletes, act like THUGS. They spar verbally with those with whom they disagree…some even resorting to physical altercations. AND….this thug-like behavior is not confined to the sporting arena. It spills over into their everyday life.

Come on, people! What happened to old-fashioned COMMON COURTESY? I don’t think I am being unreasonable to expect courtesy in professional athletes. These are the people whom our children hold up as role models. Being able to control one’s temper is a basic life skill and a matter of courtesy. It is part of their LEGACY and many are failing miserably.

What are your thoughts about the death of common courtesy?

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