Editor’s note: This column, Sallie Parker’s last, will be posted to www.gtowntimes.com — in case, you’d like to wish her well, say good-bye, or thank her for her gracious body  of work.

Q. Dear Sallie,

Traditionally, I know it's considered etiquette to sip the last of your soup from the bowl, but I would be appalled if I saw someone pick up his or her bowl and drink from it.  Do you still consider this good etiquette, or do you think that rule is out-dated?

Tommy, Knoxville

A. Dear Tommy,

In the U.S. we gave up draining our soup bowls some time ago, preferring to try for the last drop of soup using our spoons – usually to no avail.

Sincerely,

Sallie

Q. Dear Sallie,

I was at a meeting in a restaurant with five other men. We were in serious conversation when suddenly someone rapped me on the shoulder from behind. I turned around and saw our waiter standing behind me. It really irritated me because it broke my train of thought, plus I didn’t like being touched by a stranger like that. It felt completely inappropriate. What do you say?

John B., Mt. Pleasant, SC

A. Dear John,

That server had bad form. One would think your were there to serve his needs and not the other way around!

Sincerely,

Sallie

Dear Readers,

I met Mrs. Etiquette in her last days.

She told me then that a lack of manners in society indicates an overall societal malady. With elegance and zest, she showed me her Articles of Consideration and Kindness and challenged me to take up her cause. I did, by writing this column. Perhaps it made a difference. I, myself, have learned much.

Alas, we — she and I — could not win the crusade alone.

To restore an epidemic of poor manners cannot be the work of one or two people, or a few etiquette columnists. It’s the task of all of us working together, teaching our children the rules of old-fashioned etiquette, reinstating honor for parents, respect for teachers, and compassion for the less fortunate.

I am not ready to go up in smoke or dissolve into dust or whatever it was that finally happened to poor Mrs. Etiquette. She, being the very essence of courtesy, could not survive its demise, but you and I are different. If our society wants to be boorish, we can hold our noses and keep on living.

So, with a tear in one eye and mirth in the other, I present this last column on a “Manner of Speaking.”

Thank you for being loyal readers. You have made my work much easier.

Sincerely,

Sallie

To send a question to Sallie, please e-mail her at Salliemid@aol.com. Most will be answered personally. Those that are published may be edited. Include your city and state. Copyright © 2010 Sallie Middleton Parker.  All rights reserved.