Somehow, within a year, I have become enamored with the fifties. Not strictly so, but the general era. I wonder if anyone other than I ever looks back with nostalgia on a time in which they never lived? It's seems as though the drastic change from then to now creates the illusion that it was a time in a whole different world. Sure it wasn't perfect, far from it, but the music, the fashion, the movies, the general attitude is all so infatuating; and how could we, people as whole, strayed so far from that?

It's not that I wish to particularly degrade the 21st Century, there are things that I think are quite revolutionary, things that we'd be stupid to toss aside, knowledge that I'm thankful we know. I suppose there are pros and cons to each era, and I know many people would prefer then to now. (I guess they're in luck.)

Yet with every movie created then I see, and song that I listen to, and even shopping in old antique shops and finding newspapers from the time, all these things create an even deeper love for the era. With my adoration for the 50's out in the open, I would like to state one thing. It's not that I think that era was more talented, fashionable, or generally well off than this generation is now, however, speaking to those that live in the time and submerging myself with the combination of then and now, I realized something. More women were ladies, and more men were gentlemen.

That's what I believe it is. It's the ego, crass, and crudeness that's been created now, getting worse with growing time, from perhaps even being too open or comfortable. Being comfortable with yourself and life is quite important, but being too comfortable is what I see now. It's the openness to say and do what shouldn't in fact be said or done, in public at least.

Now, I'm not saying that EVERYONE is like that..... but as of now, my general consensus, based upon the media at least, is what I've said. We're lacking in ladies and gents. By this, I mean, the common knowledge and understanding of being polite. Apologizing when you were in the wrong, smiling and saying 'good day', shaking hands when you greet, helping those that need help, holding doors open for one another, etc. I see the occasional act of politeness, but when did we mostly stop caring about what others thought? (No, not what the impolite and rude think, and not obsessing over what others think either. Because that is a whole different issue.) Caring enough that you wouldn't want a random stranger to glare at you because you cut them off on the road. Caring to do more than fend for yourself.

So, what it really comes down to is being polite. I think that bringing back that care of what others thought, the want to be a polite person, would be a fantastic improvement. Ladies, let's be ladylike. And gentlemen, be, well, gentlemanly. With this, I give everyone who's reading this a challenge. Do something with the thought of someone elses well being, do something unordinarly polite. (Compared to what you would normally do.) Write a thank you letter. Remind someone of how great they are. Just say thank you, to someone who probably doesn't normally get a thank you. Be polite, bring back the 50's, perhaps you'll start a trend.