A debate on iVillage recently caught my attention.

A mother posted about her experience at a store with her children.  Apparently, the children were in line to pay for their purchases and an adult cut in front of them.  When the mom approached the adult on the subject, that person just laughed it off and said that she thought the kids were just “hanging out”.  The mom immediately stood up for her children and still the adult dismissed the idea that perhaps… *she* was wrong to do what she did.

The mom brought up a good point.  She said that if the adults in society cannot show a bit of respect, courtesy and polite regard…. then how will children learn respect and courtesy?

I suppose we still somewhat live in a society where some people feel children should be seen but not heard.  We cart them off to play their ps3 or whatever gaming system they might have…. and we expect them to show respect and courtesy at all times.

But what about adults? How often do *we* show respect and courtesy? How often do *we* exercise patience and understanding?

From where I am standing, not as often as we should…