Good morning Quote by Paul Sayer
““Good morning Peter," said the old woman at the table. "Aren't you going to say 'good morning' to us, then, Peter?" "He," said the man opposite, "never says anything, doesn't Peter. Got his head screwed on, knows to keep his mouth shut. Best way." "That doesn't mean," said the woman, "that we should not be polite to him. I'm sure Peter has feelings, just like the rest of us and, if he could, if he wished to, I'm sure he would be delighted to say 'good morning' to us and wish us all the verybest of good wishes.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Old Woman” by Paul Sayer, 1990
A dialogue highlights the tension between respecting silence and the desire for politeness toward someone who may be emotionally distant.
In simple terms: Balancing respect for quietness with courtesy.
Key Takeaway
Be mindful of others' feelings while honoring their boundaries.
Themes
respect
politeness
communication
empathy
boundaries
Mood
thoughtful
considerate
reflective
Type
observational
conversational
When to use this quote
- workplace interactions
- family gatherings
- public settings
- online forums
Key Concepts
social dynamics
emotional intelligence
interpersonal etiquette
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you show respect without imposing speech?
- When is silence more appropriate than greeting?
A Different Perspective
Politeness can feel forced if not genuine; silence may mask deeper issues.
![“But he froze before he had reached far enough, halted, certainly, by the same sexret doubt I had seen in others, the querulous look and fear that asked, Is there yet someone alive in that shell? Some living human being, watching, waiting to come back to life [...]. Might there yet be some ember…” quote by Paul Sayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f6/paul-sayer-69293_fear_but-he-froze-before-he-had-reached-far-e_1175443.jpg)
