What are we teaching our kids?
The hotel I’m staying at provides a buffet type breakfast with the reasonable understanding that guests will pick up after themselves.
I was appalled as I watched a family of five–mom, dad, three kids–leave their table this morning after generally trashing the area.
All three kids were old enough to not only dispose of their own trash, but also to understand that it’s what polite people in a polite society do.
Instead, the family took their drinks with them and left their empty plates, napkins, partially consumed items, and crumbs for somebody else to clean.
Where was the sense of community?
Where was the evidence of parents teaching their kids to simply pick up after themselves?
I was reminded of some golden rules I learned many years ago when I was a child, and they’ve stuck with me ever since.
If memory serves me, I read these in an Ann Landers column, but I saw them attributed to several different authors so I’m not sure where they actually originated.
These are sensible.
And simple.
Learn them and teach them to your children.
Golden Rules
- If you open it, close it.
- If you turn it on, turn it off.
- If you unlock it, lock it up.
- If you break it, admit it.
- If you can’t fix it, call in someone who can.
- If you borrow it, return it.
- If you value it, take care of it.
- If you make a mess, clean it up.
- If you move it, put it back.
- If it belongs to someone else, get permission to use it.
- If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone.
- If it’s none of your business, don’t ask questions.