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Much of the discussion about being socially responsible relates to corporations’ actions. (e.g. “What can this company do to improve its social responsibility?”)

But what about personal social responsibility? Why is that not a larger topic?

Here is a list of some things I see as what a socially responsible person does. I will attempt to instill these in my children as parts of a civilized society. This is just what people are supposed to do. These are not necessarily rules, but I know I would rather live in a community where these were practiced more often than not.

• Look at the person to whom you are speaking
• Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Offer your chair to the elderly (or to a lady if you’re a gentleman)
• Address elders as Mr., Mrs., or Sir, Ma’am
• Say please, thank you, and you’re welcome
• Use a salutation or valediction when meeting or departing from someone (say hello or good-bye)
• Be able to apologize
• Chew with your mouth closed
• Say excuse me when appropriate
• Hold doors open for others
• Find the end of the line and wait in it
• Watch your language
• Ladies should be served before gentlemen
• Offer to help if you see someone in need

In the old days, these things were known as manners or maybe even common courtesy. I guess they fell out of favor and need a new buzzword (i.e. social responsibility) to become popular again.

Not a very catchy title, I know, but I was going for accuracy rather than cleverness.

This post doesn’t need much in the way of introduction, other than to say we visited some friends for dinner and these photos are from their yard.

Apple Tree

Apple Blossoms

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A while back I overheard my wife say something to herself along the lines of “cross her off the list.” My curiosity got the better of me, so I asked what list she was talking about.

Hey, inquiring minds want to know.

It was the list of good future spouse candidates for me, should something happen to my wife and death did us part.

Those of you who know my wife are not surprised, because she likes to plan. Reference 1: her request that she be cremated and turned into a diamond.

Now for those of you who are husbands, I have some tips for you. Before you go ask your wives about the list, finish reading this post.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT

• inquire about the list – it is for the wife’s contemplation only. She is just making sure that her family can be taken care of in her absence.
• ask to see the list – it is in the wife’s head only. And subject to revision.
• ask who is on the list – no good can come from that. And there’s really no good time to ask that question.
• make suggestions to add to the list – that’s just asking for trouble. No further explanation needed.

I was married for several years before I knew my wife kept a list. I don’t know who is on the list. I don’t know what criteria my wife is using – my guess is that it’s related to cooking skills. She probably wants our kids to eat something other than macaroni and cheese or grilled cheese sandwiches.

And no, I don’t have a similar list for my whom my wife could marry should she become a widow. I thought about thinking about it once, but I bought life insurance instead.

Sorry, Canada – this post has nothing to do with Christmas.

My wife and I are similar in that we like to pile things up and take care of them later. This has a drawback in that, if one waits too long, the pile can become overwhelming. (Don’t even ask about the ironing.)

For example, we separate our cardboard boxes from the rest of the garbage because that’s what the recyclers want. Plus I have to break down and fold the boxes anyway because they’re too bulky for the normal trash can. Once I have to break it down, it doesn’t cost me any extra to place it in one bin versus the other.

But so that I’m not inconvenienced any time I empty a box, I just toss the boxes into a pile (in the garage, usually) and break them all down at once (when I can’t walk through the garage anymore, usually). Sometimes I do rethink this method.
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Welcome back to another edition of Husbands and Wives. In today’s episode, we will explore how each party handles children who are at risk of injury.

Case #1: The Bunk Bed

Parent A: “The kids are jumping off the top bunk and landing on the mattress on the floor.”
Parent B: “Yeah, I told them no flips.”

Question: Which parent (A or B) is the husband and which is the wife?

Case #2: The Swingset

The scene: a playground. The dilemma: a child is swinging on the swingset and is contemplating an airborne exit. Both parents yell something to the child at the same time.
Parent A: “Don’t jump off!”
Parent B: “Land on your feet!”

Question: Which parent (A or B) is the husband and which is the wife?

Okay, we’re out of time for today. Remember to tune in next time to Some Blog Site for more Husbands and Wives!

Not much here today – I used up my blogging quote for the week by writing something for Ricky Anderson. Go visit his blog and read my guest post over there.

And while you’re there, be sure to browse through some other things that he has written. Oh, and leave comments too (on his other posts, not necessarily my guest post).

Today’s verse will make more sense after you’ve read the guest post.

Random things to post before the end of the year:

• I was “randomly selected” to participate in the American Community Survey (ACS). I wonder how many of the “randomly selected” households are the ones that wrote “American” for their race in the general census…?
• The checkout guy at the grocery store complained to me. In the course of general niceties, I mentioned I was getting ready for New Year’s Day. He responded with “I’m not going to have a very fun New Year’s Day.” What do you say to that? Apparently he is scheduled to work that day. Employee training should teach them to be cheerful in their interactions with people. The store-to-customer interface should be happy, not frowny.
• I’m no longer the guy who provides food and shelter for the children. I’m now the guy who has the thing that lets them play Angry Birds.
• Shame on ESPN for being selfish. In the past, I could watch various and sundry bowl games on New Year’s Day. It was football all day, and it was very good. Then a 4-letter cable network acquired the rights to the bowl games and locked them away so that the general population could not see the games. And there was much sorrow.

Now that I’m vaguely familiar with Twitter… these seem like items that would have made good tweets. Now that I have a fancy-pants phone game-and-music-playing device, I might consider using Twitter.

Or maybe not.

Happy New Year!