Where is the common courtesy??

Dating back to the 13th century, the term courtesy was know as curteisie by the Anglo- French and it meant courteous behavior; consideration, cooperation, and generosity in providing something. Seems pretty simple doesn't it? Yet nowadays this courteous behavior has gone by the wayside it seems in many aspects of our day to day lives but I'm reminded how blind we are to are own actions and the impact that they have on others.

Recently, a fellow trainer friend of mine had a boarder come and pull out 4 horses and not pay the remainder of their bill  with not so much as a word as to why. This to me is simply unseemly.  There had been no indications that this individual was disatisfied with his services or the care that these horses were receiving. This woman just came loaded up her belongings and the horses and pulled out without even talking to the trainer and explaining why. Did this person not feel he was owed an explaination? Not even so much as a letter, thanking them for what they had done and explaining why they were leaving. To me that shows a lack of even human decency. As though she felt that my friend was below her in some way.

I have dealt with issues similar to this one from both sides. I have been the disatisfied boarder and I have had boarders leave. When I left my last facility, I felt awful because I had formulated a friendship with the owner, yet I still needed to move on. So to be courteous, I not only met with him in person but I wrote a letter explaining the situation. However, it has come to my attention that many people don't think like me and I think that is part of the problem barns face. I have had boarders leave and leave nothing but a letter. While I agree the written aspect should be there, but there is that simple courtousy of either a phone call or a face to face meeting that we as adults should be able to handle. Especially towards someone who has taken care of something that you hold dear and if you had formulated a relationship beyond the business aspect. I think these simple considerations and human decency would help make the industry a more pleasant place to be.

I feel terrible for my friend, who was just trying to do his job and someone was so callous as to not think as to how this would impact him or his family. I hope one day people will consider how their actions will impact those around them and think before they act. Now that's not to say that I'm perfect by any means, this is just what I strive for.