Quote of The Day

Friday, September 06, 2013

Manners and 29 faces of September

Huge storm here, with loads of thunder and lightening. Sounded like a 
dump truck backed into the house...it continued for several hours. 
Finally calm for a bit... 
I'm not satisfied with my faces for the
29 faces of September challenge but I continue on...
Day #3
Manners....oh where, oh where have they gone? In our house we thank each other daily  for the most mundane things. Whether it be fetching a drink, making a meal, or handing the other a sweater!  There is always a genuine thank-you!! We take nothing for granted!! We compliment each other often and laugh at our own idiosyncrasies, that's how it works for us! 
Movies, video games and music are often blamed for creating bullies... Yet our society has a trickle down affect of nasty behavior. Large companies bully their employees  to work harder for less, with  rare accolades for a  job  well done. Older employees are often pushed out to pasture before their time.
Day #4
Some cell phone  monopolies companies refuse to compromise with customers without a dispute.  I've heard too many stories of credit cards continuing to be charged  long after a plan has lapsed! While exorbitant accidental roaming charges  are almost impossible to rectify even after the customer follows the cell phone providers recommendation to the tee.
Contacting any corporate customer service is a time thief.  Held hostage to slow automated messages in search of  the exact department. Then forced to listen to bad elevator music for several minutes until reaching a human.  Finally getting through  to a representative with an accent  so thick it's difficult to discern. It's embarrassing for them and me as I repeat, " pardon" several times with no resolve. Customer service today can be perplexing at times..
One service provider  insisted the problem was on my end  instead of admitting an upgrade was in progress on their end. Each time this happens they  attempt to have me approve a service call. When I refuse and threaten  to change services after 40 years of loyalty.... there is always a miraculous quick  fix  on their end. Why can't they just admit they dropped service and apologize? Their attempt at bullying squashed!
Day #2
My local pizza company was a weekly frustration for three months straight. I'd have to hang up two or three times until I connected to someone who could properly understand my order....Communication Accent issue again...I thought I had this one beat by ordering online and collecting it on my way home...BUT NO...another order kerfuffle. With them trying to pawn off a foreign pizza not even available in their  online menu.  I reverted to calling again, only this time I bypassed the corporate number  straight to my location. After several frustrating calls  I got a woman who was so amazing, just because she understood my basic order..... I've had her three times now and each time thanked her profusely for taking my order with such ease and diligence.... Why are things so complicated  today? Shouldn't they be thanking me for my patronage? Why  is sincere human interaction at such a premium?
Day #5
  Some Cashiers  are forced  to address me by my sir name when we've never met before. Calling me Mrs when I've not been married for 17 years. I don't like it, and I'm sure they don't either! I much prefer an authentic  sincere greeting!
Day #1
Manners and customer service are so important now that I have mobility issues, every interaction is at a premium! When I leave a store I want to feel good... if I don't, it's doubtful I'll be back.
The other day while driving on a very busy street a man walked out in front of my car compromising our safety. I was so annoyed until he waved a thank-you as I slowed  to let him pass by.... some how that simple gesture made his dangerous practice okay....I knew he sincerely appreciated my defensive driving that kept him safe.   I exhaled.  He walked quickly  past Cupcake  and me. Suddenly we  felt compassion! Maybe he was worried he'd miss his bus! That one small gesture abdicated our ire! 

We need more everyday kindness, gratitude, and appreciation for each other. Corporations need to follow suit. Maybe then the whole world would follow our example and there would be a little less bullying in every avenue of life! 

Do you see covert bullying in your everyday life? Do you think manners have diminished over the years?

Thanks to all the wonderful artists at Paint Party Friday  who visit, you are all such loving kind souls... and great examples of what peace and love looks like!

This is my contribution to Paint Party friday and 29 faces in September. 
Thank you to Kristen, Eva and Martha for hosting these wonderful art sites!

49 comments:

Ginny said...

I think your faces are wonderful. I love the girl with the big hat.

I ate lunch with a friend at a new fast food restaurant yesterday. It was a cute concept but what stood out was how polite everyone was and how helpful they were. So manners do matter!

Clare said...

Well said, I agree with every single word! Been there many times...... With Telstra ....... Been a customer over thirty years! Love your faces the vivid colours are visually stunning and suit the message in your post! Clare

denthe said...

Love your faces, especially the one with the big hat. And manners ... oh yes, I often wonder where they're gone. I don't think it's movies or music, it's upbringing. That is really something that parents need to teach their children, and sadly a lot of parents don't seem to find it necessary anymore. Even worse, they don't have any manners themselves ... I love living in Australia because people here are way more friendly than in Europe where I come from. But the younger generation is quickly losing that friendliness. And that really makes me sad ....The world could be a much greater place to live if we all were a bit more kind to each other ...

Anne Manda said...

Love your faces with vibrant colors! <3

Karla B said...

Amazing work!Love the colors and the positive vibrations I see in your work!

Mary C. Nasser said...

How great that you are participating in the 29 Faces Challenge!!
I love your brilliant and intense colors!!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

Valerie-Jael said...

Love your faces. and the gorgeous colours! Valerie

Ivy said...

Manners Matter...yes they do! HPPF!

Goldfish Diaries said...

I love the faces! And the little pup below...looks like Bella! I couldn't agree with you more on the manners! xo

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

This was quite entertaining to read. :) I know it felt different to you. Love your portraits. Especially the profile one.

Studio Kaufmann said...

Your faces are vivid and full of life
Thanks for visiting my blog
Happy PPF!!

Marji said...

Beautiful artwork. the opening lines about the storm, made me think you live here in Seattle. we've had amazing storms and tons of rains. dog hates it. On manners - I remember as a kid I always addressed my mom and dad's friends as Mr and Mrs. In fact, later in life - they are still that to me - One friends mom, said - you know, you don't need to call me Mrs anymore :) Manners were big when we were kids - but have slacked over the years. I'm hopeful there will be a resurgence :)

Anonymous said...

Great faces.....Covert bullying oh yeah, in spades as they say....Had it just the other day in a shop I've gone to for 17 years. Employees rude and unfriendly....will not be going back. And heaven forbid you should say hello to anyone, they look at you like you have three heads....forget manners, what about human interaction. I think that's off the table too. xox

PaintingWrite said...

I can relate to this post so much!! Steve and I constantly bemoan the fact that no one from any company nowadays ever calls you back when they say they will - it drives me mad. I worked in customer care in different industries and even if I had nothing to update a customer on, I'd still call back when I said I would and you'd be amazed how much that meant to people. It drives me mad when shop assistants don't bother to stop their conversation to serve me, just taking my goods and ringing them up all the while still discussing so and so's latest date or whatever - RUDE!! I also get annoyed when people don't say thank you or acknowledge me when I let them out of a side street when driving for example - it takes so little to just wave or say thanks. My biggest bug bear is when I walk past someone when walking the dogs and I say hello and they don't say it back - why would you do that!!! Actually all these things happened much more often before we moved to the north of Scotland - here it's much more of a small town mentality where everyone knows everyone so people tend to have more time for pleasantries here! Anyway, that's my rant over!!

soulbrush said...

I was nodding my head throughout the shole post. And I love the gals, specially the second one- ms hot lips. Happy PPF pal.

Linda Kunsman said...

Your faces are fantastic!! Love the vibrant colors and lines! Aaah, manners. What I find though is that just when I think manners are lost the next encounter I have proves me wrong. So I TRY and keep the faith and practice good manners despite running into someone otherwise. Happy PPF!

Unknown said...

great pieces!! the colours really pop!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Faye said...

Sherry you are so smart to put all your faces in one post. Each one is unique and lovely and in your present day style of painting. I especially like #4 with her bluish lips. But it really is the set of eyes she has, green with a glint of red.

You are not alone in thinking that manners have all but disappeared from the social scene. Rudeness is rampant. Regard for others is rare. I guess in truth it has been disintegrating since the beginning of time, but it seems to be doing it faster. We also please and thank you each other over the merest of things.

Paper rainbow said...

Manners have diminished over the years, I agree with your sentiments, and they cost nothing. I am a stickler for them!!! I think a lot of people don't regard them with the same importance though. As for your faces, wonderful job, I especially like the faces where you can just see the features without the face shape.

Christine said...

nice work on the faces, and an important post on manners today!

GlorV1 said...

Love your colorful faces. You did a great job on these faces.I agree with your profound message. We must always be polite. Therefore I thank you for this wonderful post. Have a wonderful weekend.:)

Katie Jeanne Wood said...

Oooh, your faces are fabulous!! :) And, yes..I agree with you completely about manners. People have become so rude. It's sad, really.

Abigail Davidson said...

Love your expressive style! Happy PPF!

kat said...

Your faces are looking great! It's always fun coming over here and I enjoy reading your posts. So true how a smile, nod of the head, all the little gestures are so important. We all need little signs of kindness, compassion, it really doesn't take much.

Ayala Art said...

All of it true! Manners do matter, and can move mountains.
Great faces! Awesome colors ♥

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I just love your unique color palette and how you apply it to all your work. I couldn't agree more with you about how manners are an endangered these days. It's like we're becoming a "me" society. The Golden Rule is becoming oblivious. Blessings, my friend!

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

I really like all of these faces. And the colors are fantastic!

As for corporate "customer service" … don't get me goin'!

SAMARA said...

Wow oh wow do I relate! Gigs this stuff makes me CRAZY! I spend what seems hours monthly with Bell Canada on the phone straightening out my bill. This month it was 1,200 too high...oh, small mistake (37 years later!!!!) Why don't they give us 1200 in a thank you! Grrrr to all of what you said. Rah rah for you. I have to mail you something I saw on FB that I know you will love. Great post. Spot on! I love your faces Sherrie. They are so animated and alive. The one where the eyes are looking down - wow the eyes are terrific and I love the brown/yellow for the face. The lips of the other...tremendous. You have such an animated way of creating. It matches these wonderful and passionate and true rants that you go on that make us more conscious of who we are and who we need to be in order for a better world to be made! Loves.

SAMARA said...

Yummy about your interest in Filofax! Please let me know if you take it further!!! xox

SAMARA said...

Hey Sherrie:
Here is the post that I wanted to send to you re: those annoyances in traffic etc that hinder our psychological well being!

Undeniable Adult Truths

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap
when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5.
I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection, again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1 .7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Ladies.....Quit Laughing.

Samara xox

Lorraine said...

love the colours you use..manners are very important and that is what I try to teach my sons

Jez said...

So much to say. Your first paragraph could have been written by me, but not so well. We thank each other all the time for the most simple action. I think it is part of loving. Unfortunately very few people seem to think it important to say thank you even for a gift.
Thankfully we live in an area where (up to now) drivers wave a thank you if we pause to let them weave in and out of parked cars on our narrow roads, and supermarket cashiers are so friendly and give plenty of time to pack the shopping bags carefully.
I always like to give a special thank you to pleasant shop or bank workers by thanking them for their lovely smile which lifts the day for me - and it seems this rather different thanks is always appreciated.
Your lady is wonderful, as always, but we are always our own worst critics. I love her.
PS THANK YOU for a most interesting post as always and for being such a nice person yourself. XX

PiaRom said...

I have enjoyed your beautiful faces and colors...thank you for giving a smile on my face :D ♥ Conny
http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

Rita said...

Yes, manners matter!! And I love all these colorful faces. Thank you very much and good day to you, :)

Kate Robertson said...

Manners and respect are so important. Your girls are fun and lively and full of so much color. Great job.

Janet said...

I agree with everything you said! I see the rapid decline of manners everywhere and it worries me. Where will we be in another decade?! Yikes!

I love your faces. And all the beautiful colors you use and manipulate.

Kristin said...

I just adore you! I loved reading your post - and loved reading these responses. Manners Matter! And I feel like we're confronted with the lack of them everyday. THE WORSE is when you hold the door open for a person and they don't thank you. I hate that. Just smile for goodness sake!
LOVE your ladies, the bold color make me smile - and thank you for your sweet homeschool comment, xoxo

Tammie Lee said...

SO enjoyed seeing each of your pieces.

your family sounds lovely to me~

Laney said...

Love the intense colors in your faces! And I know what you mean about manners. So often clerks at stores don't even look at you, much less say "thanks" or "come back".

Carol said...

Love them!!! I know I can always count on a big smile and a warm feeling when I come to your blog !!

Jess said...

It makes so much difference when staff are polite. I'll recommend them to my friends and go back again many times!
Your colourful faces are gorgeous, so cheery on this dull rainy Monday!xx

Annette P.-L. said...

So beautiful faces! Wonderful colors. I like your expressive style!!

Irene Rafael said...

your faces are delightful. my fav is blooming ideas...all those blooms on her hair are terrific. i agree, i find that many people never learned manners but also have to say that when i come across someone with manners i am appreciative and grateful.

Irene Rafael said...

your faces are delightful. my fav is blooming ideas...all those blooms on her hair are terrific. i agree, i find that many people never learned manners but also have to say that when i come across someone with manners i am appreciative and grateful.

Diane ~ said...

love your use of color and love your blog post!"thank you" for sharing your talent and thoughts with us!! i am now very happily following you!!

JKW said...

I love that everyone one of the faces has a different personality. Blessings, Janet PPF

lorik said...

I love your faces - the second hat woman is my favourite. You write so well ... I read the lot and was almost nodding my head in agreement. Especially the bullying thing and importance of kindness, gratitude and appreciation for each other!
Great (important) post .

Erika said...

So much delightful faces to see, dear Happy! It is always so nice to see your art with this Vibrant Colors and your own Special Expression. Thank you for sharing and have a very great time!
Hugs and love
Erika

Carmen said...

Oh dear this has had me nodding along, as well as your most recent post too. manners, or lack of, is my pet peeve. It just doesn't seem to be taught anymore - even at the supermarket you are lucky if you get a cashier who talks to YOU rather than the other cashier behind you (I don't want to hear all their personal business - if they want my money they should be focussing on me!)

I hate these companies that offer all these great offers to NEW customers. What about ME the customer that's been with you over 10 years - I don't deserve that deal too? Grrr.

Love your faces and the story they tell :)

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