is parenthetical that it is also good business to behave as such. This is not a confusing distinction, but likely has been confused, to the detriment of polite behavior, by “business consultants” focused on ends and outcomes rather than means and process. We all live together on the same planet for cWe - modern America that is - have become so damn impolite. We don’t give people the simple courtesy of a reply when contacted by email or phone. The idea of acknowledging someone with a smile while passing on the street is at best an anachronism; at times it’s even considered an affront. And being greeted when entering a store is less commonplace all the time. What are we becoming (or have already become)? Furthermore, these simple common courtesies are disappearing from the very vocabulary and experiences of the young adult and teenage populations among us. (In fact, only be an older person could write this piece from direct experience.)

What does any of this have to do with hats or e-commerce, you may ask. Stores are guilty - big time - of contributing to this decline. Businesses/employers run the daily social show in America; they are obliged to set an example and lead with integrity. This is a separate issue from Enron/WorldCom law-breaking type activity (although greed is not unrelated to this deterioration). Being polite and courteous are actions that people should adopt because it’s right to do so. That, in and of itself, is the reason to act as a decent human being. It is parenthetical that it is also good business to behave as such. This is not a confusing distinction, but likely has been confused, to the detriment of polite behavior, by “business consultants” focused on ends and outcomes rather than means and process. We all live together on the same planet for cr

reeted when entering a store is less commonplace all the time. What are we becoming (or have already become)? Furthermore, these simple common courtesies are disappearing from the very vocabulary and experiences of the young adult and teenage populations among us. (In fact, only be an older person could write this piece from direct experience.)

What does any of this have to do with hats or e-commerce, you may ask. Stores are guilty - big time - of contributing to this decline. Businesses/employers run the daily social show in America; they are obliged to set an example and lead with integrity. This is a separate issue from Enron/WorldCom law-breaking type activity (although greed is not unrelated to this deterioration). Being polite and courteous are actions that people should adopt because it’s right to do so. That, in and of itself, is the reason to act as a decent human being. It is parenthetical that it is also good business to behave as such. This is not a confusing distinction, but likely has been confused, to the detriment of polite behavior, by “business consultants” focused on ends and outcomes rather than means and process. We all live together on the same planet for c

uld write this piece from direct experience.)

What does any of this have to do with hats or e-commerce, you may ask. Stores are guilty - big time - of contributing to this decline. Businesses/employers run the daily social show in America; they are obliged to set an example and lead with integrity. This is a separate issue from Enron/WorldCom law-breaking type activity (although greed is not unrelated to this deterioration). Being polite and courteous are actions that people should adopt because it’s right to do so. That, in and of itself, is the reason to act as a decent human being. It is parenthetical that it is also good business to behave as such. This is not a confusing distinction, but likely has been confused, to the detriment of polite behavior, by “business consultants” focused on ends and outcomes rather than means and process. We all live together on the same planet for c

ity. This is a separate issue from Enron/WorldCom law-breaking type activity (although greed is not unrelated to this deterioration). Being polite and courteous are actions that people should adopt because it’s right to do so. That, in and of itself, is the reason to act as a decent human being. It is parenthetical that it is also good business to behave as such. This is not a confusing distinction, but likely has been confused, to the detriment of polite behavior, by “business consultants” focused on ends and outcomes rather than means and process. We all live together on the same planet for c is parenthetical that it is also good business to behave as such. This is not a confusing distinction, but likely has been confused, to the detriment of polite behavior, by “business consultants” focused on ends and outcomes rather than means and process. We all live together on the same planet for crying out loud. That is all the motivation we need.

How it got this bad is a topic for another essay. I suspect that the artificial and slippery notion that I often hear people espouse, “It’s just business”, thus implying a different behavior in “life” than in business is part of the explanation. In any case, businesses need to take responsibility. Many people aren’t given the courtesy of an answer after applying for, or even interviewing for, a job. We say hello or goodbye to colleagues and customers in the workplace less so all the time. It is not the fault of the younger generation that these basic human social values are being lost. My son, now twenty, has interviewed for numerous jobs in his young life. It is now significantly more likely that he will not be contacted after dropping off or emailing a resume - or even interviewing for a job - than he will be. It pains me to have to explain to him how rude that is. Worse, he is now used to it; doesn’t even get disturbed by it any longer. It is irrelevant that he has proven to be a very good employee, because a prospective employer owes anyone a response after he or she enters into their process for a job.

Those of us – bu