Civility Lessons While on a Run

It was a beautiful warm day, perfect for a run. I strapped on my hot pink running shoes (the only color in my size) and took off for a little lunch-time run. I huffed and puffed up a couple of hills and came to a flat stretch with a sigh of relief.  That’s when I heard it. “On your left!”

Captain America?

No, it was two boys between the ages of 10 and 12 on bikes. As the second one passed I heard him say over his shoulder, “Good afternoon.”

My heart couldn’t have melted more if it had been Captain America himself. How polite these young men were! And, how sad that this kind of respect surprised me!

The reason Captain America appeals to me as a superhero is his manners. Well, there are lots of things that appeal to me about Captain America, but manners are definitely high on the list. Some might say manners are outdated, a product of years gone by, that no one could be expected to live up to that kind of standard any longer. The times are different. We don’t hide what we think; we say it. If anyone gets offended, well, that’s their own personal problem. We’re just being honest.

I’m not a graphic novel reader.  I only watch the new Marvel movies, so I can’t say that I know everything there is to know about Steve Rogers as Captain America. I enjoy watching the Avenger series movies, and all of the superheroes in the films charm me one way or another. But, by far Captain America leads the pack. There is something about that by-gone era of civility that brings a kind assurance. It’s masculine to the n^th degree. As a woman, I know that a man who is genuinely civil and polite holds me in esteem.  I feel respected and honored.

I’m not sure where those boys learned to be so polite in this modern era of incivility (i.e., the 2016 presidential race). Most likely they have been taught by goodly parents. Maybe they are taking a little lesson from Steve Rogers. Whatever the case, I just want to say thank you to these young men in training and to the parents and mentors who are teaching them polite civility. You made my day!