We talk a lot about “manners” as if they’re outdated rules or something we were forced to memorize as kids. But the older I get, the more I realize that manners were never about perfection or performance. They were about dignity. They were about awareness. They were about understanding that we move through the world with other people, and our choices ripple outward whether we notice it or not.

In this episode, I revisit the small lessons that shaped me — the ones that had nothing to do with being “proper” and everything to do with being present. From childhood mornings trying to look put‑together with very little, to the way we navigate grocery aisles, sidewalks, and conversations today… I’m thinking about how simple acts of decency have become strangely rare. And how much they still matter.

Manners aren’t about being polite for politeness’ sake. They’re about saying, in a hundred small ways, “I see you. I know I exist in the world with you.” That’s the part we’ve lost. And that’s the part I’m trying to reclaim.

If you’ve been feeling the shift in how people treat each other – or if you’re trying to hold onto your own sense of humanity in the middle of it – this one might resonate.

If you prefer the audio/podcast version – please click here!

Until next time,

Carmen

All About The Joy is the larger umbrella for all my work — a space that includes several different shows, each with its own tone and purpose. Carmen Talk, Culture & Consequence, The Private Lounge and Friday Night Lives

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