Simoneaux: Bells, stars, manners and the things that guide us
Published 1:30 am Monday, January 15, 2018
By Larry Simoneaux
Just now, there’s an old ship’s bell sitting on my work table.
It’s a smaller bell that was usually found either on the quarterdeck or on the bridge of a ship. Such a bell was used, among other things, to announce the arrival and departure of the commanding officer or other distinguished visitors.
The one I have was cast from brass and is badly tarnished. It’s 8 inches across at its mouth, 6 inches tall, and almost a quarter-inch thick. It weighs more than 6 pounds and, when struck, has a sound that’s as clear and bright as light.
I like its simplicity and solidity. I like that such bells have proved their worth over many years. I like mine so much that I’ve spent the last six days polishing it and ordering the parts needed to mount it in my garage.
Even though such bells may now be viewed as ornaments (if they haven’t been replaced altogether by electronic chimes), I think they should still be kept around for those times when they might be needed. I also think that there are other things we might consider holding onto and, perhaps, even polishing up. Just in case.
A few examples:
Did you know that, for almost 10 years, the Navy stopped teaching celestial navigation at the Naval Academy? Think about that. No in-depth course on how to not become members of “Hegawee” clan. That’s the group of humans who, without proper tools or knowledge, wander into “the weeds,” the forest, or onto an ocean and, eventually, turn to one another in panic and begin shouting “Where the hegawee?”
Thank Neptune that more rational minds returned and celestial navigation is, once more, being taught at Canoe U. However, for a period of time, we had officers headed to sea without a very useful and basic tool of seamanship. Yes, they had GPS to tell them where they were and, yes, there were still navigators and members of the crew responsible for knowing the ship’s position when all of the gizmos failed. But here’s the thing. Every officer who boards a ship anywhere on this planet should have a solid understanding of celestial navigation. Just in case.
There’s a common complaint that elders have been making since the beginning of time. It’s about the decline of civility and manners in society. As an example of such decline, one might read the “Comments” section following any arguable written column. Good behavior, civility and manners there depart after about the third comment.
There’s always been a need for rules to guide us as to what’s acceptable behavior. Manners, among other things, do that. They’re a societal version of light lubricating oil. They help keep things running smoothly when we’re with others and prevent friction in tense or awkward situations.
Writing a measured and thoughtful response to an opposing viewpoint is reasonable and legitimate discourse.Taking a hat off when entering a home or when seated at a table indicates that we’ve come to stay a while and aren’t about to rush off to “more important things.” Shaking hands, looking others in the eye when speaking, listening politely and using terms like “Sir” and “Ma’am” put us at ease with each other.
Manners help prevent us from acting like the truculent oafs we can become if not restrained by long-standing and well understood practices of good behavior. You see, “doing your own thing” in any or all social settings doesn’t usually make for an agreeable society. Thus, my vote is to keep the teaching of civility and manners current. Just in case.
On a more serious topic, we’re currently having a long overdue, much needed, and very visible examination of sexual harassment in this country. I’m absolutely in favor of this, as such behavior is now, always has been and always will be abhorrent, contemptible and repulsive. Note: If I’ve missed any terms here, feel free to add to the list.
We still have a long way to go, but it’s good to see a movement gathering steam. There is, however, one thing that should not be discarded or ignored. That thing is “due process.” A very scary adjunct to an accusation of sexual harassment these days is the fact that the merest allegation of such behavior can permanently ruin an individual’s reputation. We need to tread carefully here. Due process can’t be forgotten and must be factored into the equation.
It’s a “baby and bath water” type of thing, and we need to consider that whenever we’re deciding what we may no longer need.
Just in case.
Larry Simoneaux lives in Edmonds. Send comments to: larrysim@comcast.net.
