Yes Ma'am!

The other day I was able to grab a little lunch with a friend of mine and just have a little bit of time just the two of us.  We live in a small town and there is not a lot of place so we ended up at Subway.  Not a bad place, when I order my sub the lady making it ask me something and without thinking said "Yes Ma'am"  She gave me a nice smile and went on about her job.  My friend looked at me and ask how much longer I was going to keep that up, we were no longer in the military and I could stop now.
I was taken back by what she said and looked at her and said never....Why would I stop?  Why would I stop being nice and giving respect to others. In the days since then I have taken the time to think about what she had said and why we still do it, even when we do not have to.

We never know what is going on in someones else life and what will come from showing just a little respect to them.  And just because it's their job does not mean we can walk all over them.  It is something that we shoot for in our house is 100% respect 100% of the time!  Our kids work hard at it and I have had many people say how nice it is to have them show respect to others.

Rules for our kids.

1 - When answering a question from someone they know say me... it would look like this.  "Yes Mom"  an Aunt "no Aunt Sarah" We have told them that everyone must have a title, and if they do not know the person then use Ma'am and Sir.

2 - When going into a place or leaving if someone is coming up to the door they need to order the door for them.  At our church you past the door to go down stairs sometimes they say it;s hard to get to class on time.  :)

3 - If someone that is of age to have a title needs a place to sit and they have one they are to get up and give them their place.  In our house to have a title you have to be able babysit our kids.

4 - Thank you note and cards need to be done in a timely matter.

We also do please and thank you and all that.  But these are our big ones for respect.  Would love to hear what some of your rules and thoughts on this would be.

~ Amber