“There are two little English words,” my mothers would often sing, “that will open any door with ease. The one little word is THANKS; the other little word is PLEASE.” 

It’s clear to me that such common manners seem in short supply.

Is that your observation, too?

Stand back for someone, hold the door open, clear the way – and the recipients of common kindness quite often move on, ignore kindness, as if being served is their expectation and you are simply doing your job. 

Besides “please” and “thank you” there is another good manners suggestions I’d add:

Before you – anyone that is, myself included, of course – bank it, spend it, eat it, use it – if it was a gift – thank the person by calling or in writing who gave it to you.

“I haven’t had the time to write a thank you letter or make a thank you phone call,” I have heard.

What nonsense. 

If you found the time to use the gift you’ve certainly had the time to express thanks for it.

“My grandma (grandma, uncle, aunt) doesn’t expect a thank you card or a call,” he said.

That a generous person may expect no formal thanks does not mean it ought not be communicated.