Based on my experience, I feel compelled to write on the issue of common courtesies which now prevails in our society or, should I say, lack of common courtesies. I don't profess to be a 'Miss Social Etiquette', but there are certain courtesies which I think everyone should practise.

Take, for example, a simple case of making an appointment and not being able to keep it. The courteous thing to do would be to call and cancel or reschedule appointment, bearing in mind that someone else could get that appointment. That is hardly done in today's society, as everyone is too busy. I think if you were not too busy to make the appointment, you should not be too busy to call and cancel or reschedule.

Another classic example is the case where you are invited to an event and asked to confirm attendance by a certain date. I know of a case, as I write this letter, where a certain event is being held at a hotel and in a case such as this you will definitely need a response in order to give the hotel a head count.

cost and planning

Of great importance is the fact that you will have to pay for each plate whether they attend or not. Never mind the cost and planning involved, as 50 per cent of the invitees did not respond, hence the host had to make phone calls to get a response.

I hope they felt badly when they had to be called, but then, maybe this is the norm and so feeling badly may be wishful thinking. This is pathetic and disgusting when one considers that the people who are being invited are those who 'should know better'. I am one of those who adhere to the saying that money does not give you class and class cannot be bought - period.

You see the absence of common courtesies on our roads, in the schools, in the supermarkets, the banks and just about everywhere. Sad to say, but we are suffering from 'no-manners syndrome', with no cure in sight.

I am, etc.,

M. McCCULLOCH

mmcculloch@flowja.com