Whatever Happened To Emily Post?
By Rick Taylor, Mayor of Pennsauken Township
Many of you who are reading this remember Emily Post. For those of you who don’t, she was a famous author who wrote a book on etiquette. When it came to proper decorum for social events, the workplace, or overall good taste, she was the undisputed expert. Post became more than just an author; she was a national figure of the early to mid 20th Century, complete with a syndicated newspaper column and a regular network radio program.
While Emily first gained success in the 1920s, the concepts behind her work – good manners and etiquette – never go out of style. In fact, her work was taken up by her great-grandchildren through The Emily Post Institute. Her famous book, “Emily Post’s Etiquette,” is in its 18th edition and tackles issues in today’s technology-focused world. That’s why it’s so troubling to see today’s society abandon so much of it.
When was the last time you saw a thank-you note? Or had someone say “please” when asking for something? And is there anything “social” when it comes to social media? With all of our societal advancements, sometimes I think we’ve lost more than we’ve gained, especially when it comes to common sense etiquette.
So how do we get back to embracing more of Emily’s words of wisdom? Maybe we can all start with more of what’s called the “common courtesies,” those small acts that we perform out of respect for each other. That can be as simple as holding open a door for someone or letting a person go ahead in line. When having a conversation, put down your phone; that text or Facebook post can wait. And there’s nothing quite like getting a hand-written thank-you card.
Can you imagine what would happen if we all added a little more “Emily Post” into our lives? Kids might actually be more respectful to adults in general, not just to their parents or teachers. There might be an increase in courtesy, which could lead to a decrease in “road rage.” Social interaction wouldn’t be how many times your post was “retweeted.” And we might actually get more thank-you cards in the mail.
On behalf of myself and the entire Township Committee, I’d like to wish you and yours an enjoyable rest of your summer.
