Where did all the manners go?

My boys are learning a difficult lesson in manners. The lesson is this, just because you have manners doesn't mean they will be appreciated or reciprocated. This hard lesson has been learned most often at our local Starbucks. When a man gets to the door right before me and then holds it open for me, because his mamma raised him right, I always enter and then stand off to the side and offer to let them go in front of me, because they were there first. Just because they have manners doesn't mean they should have to go to the back of the line. Now, 100% of the time I do this the men decline and let me go ahead of them, but several have thanked me for the offer because so few ever do.

So, these are the situations my boys and husband are facing. Time and time again they hold the door open for women and then these women take a place in the line that really isn't theirs. In fact, Brian just had this happen. He opened the door and 6, yes 6, women walked in and didn't offer to give him his place in line. The Starbucks employee saw this and couldn't believe it. She says it happens all the time though. So, she skipped the 6 women and went directly to Brian and got his drink started first. (just one of the reasons I love our local Starbucks!)

So, I have a plea for women. Please reward men for their manners. By ignoring and not appreciating their manners you are discouraging them and you make it a punishment to be polite. My boys will continue to open doors because I feel it is an important way to show honor towards women, but it would be nice if we would appreciate it every so often.