Hints from Heloise: Good manners never get old

UNPROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER

Dear Heloise: In response to Diane T. in Arizona, I had the opposite happen to me. I had been going to a hairdresser for many, many years. It was my hairdresser who started to not be on time. My time is important to me. I booked appointments on my day off from work. I am a morning person, but she did not open until 11:00 a.m., so I was making my appointments for 11 or 11:30. Several times over the last year that I saw her, she was the one arriving late. She would call me to tell me where she was and why she was late. The reasons she gave did not sit well with me. Plus, she didn’t really apologize. So I have found someone else, who charges half the price. — Susan L., in New Hampshire

Susan, and that’s how it should be. If someone who performs a service does not act in a professional manner, you can always go somewhere else. Maybe it will eventually dawn on your former hairdresser that she is losing customers and a chunk of her income. — Heloise

TALL PEOPLE

Dear Heloise: I saw Barb’s letter concerning “short people problems.” I’m the tall person she spoke of. When I am shopping and I see a short person looking at an item on a higher shelf, I ask if I can help them. I say, “Can I help reach something, God gave me this gift so I have to use it!” As she stated, it brings a smile! Being kind brings joy to everyone. — Tall Girl in Iowa

KINDNESS

Dear Heloise: I read many responses in your column about folks who ask for help reaching high items at stores. As a tall person who has been asked a lot — almost at every grocery store visit — I can say that I do not mind. As a matter of fact, I can usually pick up on their hesitance to ask and actually offer. Of course, I’m the same person who will let the three-item customer go ahead of my overflowing cart at the cashier line, hold the door for the person behind me, say please and thank you, and return my shopping cart to the rack even when it rains. Good manners never get old, and when shared regularly they might even catch on again. Love all the tried-and-true suggestions your column provides. Thank you. — Sue K, in Illinois

Sue, you’re absolutely right about good manners. I believe we’re all here together to do more than just look out for ourselves. So many times, a small act of kindness can mean the world to another person. Anything from collecting a neighbor’s mail while they’re gone to raking an elderly person’s yard for them and asking nothing in return, to rescuing a dog or cat from starvation, can become a natural habit. It also reminds others that they should lend a hand when they’re needed. — Heloise

USE IT UP AND WEAR IT OUT

Dear Heloise: As a retired environmental science teacher I thought it was a great idea that my dad used the Sunday comics as wrapping paper. Then I discovered ink on my kid’s hands and sometimes the gifts themselves. Reusable gift bags are much better and can even be part of the fun if you keep using the same bag that the recipient then reuses for you year after year. Save the Planet. — Steve S., in Youngstown, Ohio

EVAPORATED MILK

Dear Heloise: Because an opened can of evaporated milk has a short refrigerator life before it sours, and goes bad, pour the leftover milk into an ice tray. Freeze quickly, then remove and place the cubes in a gallon-sized freezer bag, ready to remove and use as needed. — Evelyn E., via email

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