When I read the Albuquerque Journal I find Thelma Domenici's manners column is often what I enjoy most. Hers* is the only writing that makes sense and rings true. Her tone is clear-headed and her message is smooth. Well, as smooth as possible in telling someone not to pick their teeth.
She answers the larger-than-tooth-picking question this week: Why do some people lose their manners once they retire?
Retirement isn't an excuse for losing your manners. All of the social behaviors you learn during your lifetime should become a part of you and who you are to the core. You shouldn't change dramatically from your true self upon retirement.
I'm pretty sure she wrote this one for me. In fact, I'm her don't example in many instances. Like, I get invited indirectly (a clear don't) to her Christmas party where she serves the best little peppermint cocktails. You have to have about six before you get a decent buzz.
That some of us picked our teeth at the table before we retired doesn't diminish her larger point.
* Yes I do need an editor to remind me that Hers should never have an apostrophe. How embarrassing.