Someone once observed–years ago–that ‘manners (good) were a form of social lubricant.’
Who said this?
The Internet is awash with information about various folks who said something very similar.
RON HUBBARD claimed that “In a culture, manners are the lubrication that ease the frictions of social contacts.”
Since Mr. Hubbard was the founder of Scientology–as well as a noted science fiction author–his claim sounds convincing.
PETER F. DRUCKER, however, said something a bit similar.
“Manners are the lubricating oil of an organization. It is a law of nature that two moving bodies in contact with each other create friction. This is as true for human beings as it is for inanimate objects. Manners- simple things like saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and knowing a person’s name or asking after her family enable two people to work together whether they like each other or not. Bright people, especially bright young people, often do not understand this. If analysis shows that someone’s brilliant work fails again and again as soon as cooperation from others is required, it probably indicates a lack of courtesy – that is, a lack of manners.”
–Peter F. Drucker
So, there are TWO highly-successful men (Drucker was a well-known, well-paid consultant) who shared the same general feeling about manners being a social lubricant.
But, WAIT! There are more…
“Good manners are important social lubricants. Yet it seems that everywhere we go, people are forgetting how to be respectful. Science shows that when we encounter rudeness it causes us to experience stress. The opposite is also true. When someone is polite toward us, our brains release oxytocin — the feel-good hormone.”
—Dr. Christiane Northup
“Civility is a necessary part of the foundation of any successful civilized society. In socially advanced societies, this civility is extended not only to those within our peer group, but also to the occupants of the greater social fabric, whatever their station in life. Manners grease the wheels of society, making it easier for all members of that society to live in harmony with one another.”
—Michael Nunes, The Gentleman’s Brotherhood: Coutesy is Society’s Grease
L. RON HUBBARD weighs in again with an almost-identical quote on the topic.
“In a culture, manners are the lubrication that ease the frictions of social contacts.”
“Good manners grease the wheels of society.
GENTLE READER: Nobody, least of all Miss Manners, will argue with your declaration that being courteous is more important than knowing how to eat a five-course meal (and thank you for not putting it as “knowing which fork to use”).”
–Newspaper writer Miss Manners
So, saying “please” and “thank you” help to hinder the day’s frictions and smooth any curved places in the road one is traveling.
Did the reader know?
Did the reader attempt to smooth out the day’s bumps?
( Things will return to the new normal next week–it looks like.)
by Mondo Frazier
Image by Monika from Pixabay.com
End Times Prophecy Report 