Politeness is the mark of a refined character. It costs us nothing to give and yet a lot of people are still stingy with it.
If you’re an animal lover, it’s quite possible you’ve already realized that often times animals can be just as good or even better people than most actual people.
Whether it’s their inability to nag or their unusually large capacity to love, there’s a reason that so many of us have always been drawn to love all things furry, feathered, or finned. The polite animals below are here to remind us not only why they are so awesome, but to give we two legged creatures a couple tips in the art of etiquette.
#15
Camila the dog and Miki the lion are longtime friends. When Miki meets up with Camila, he’s quite the gentleman as he lifts Camila’s paw and kisses it in greeting. He’s more romantic than most men!
#14
For this dog, letting his little friends have a share of the food first is no big deal. Despite his size and the fact that he has a bigger appetite, he wants his smaller friends to first enjoy the food even if they’re offered to him first! Now, how gracious is that?
#13
This dog that makes sure to wipe his feet off before entering the house. Be like this dog and your mom will love you.
#12
For this one, the dog is waiting patiently on the pedestrian lane for the light to turn green, unlike the woman who later jaywalks even if the “Don’t Walk” sign is still active. How we wish more pedestrians were like this dog!
#11
This deer that knows to bow before his elders: R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to this deer.
#10
This bear that knows it’s rude to not wave good-bye: Quit Irish good-bye-ing, you nincompoop!
#9
And this pigeon that uses the designated pedestrian crosswalk: J-Walking is for CRIMINALS and MONSTERS.
#8
This cat that wants to make sure you have bookmarked your spot before interrupting you: Page 169! Yes, cat, how may I help you??
#7
This dog that patiently waited while his friend played in a puddle: NO MAN LEFT BEHIND. LEARN IT.
#6
And this one that politely tells you to stop: And stop I shall, since you asked so nicely.
#5
This sloth that bought you flowers just because he knew they’d brighten your day: When’s the last time you bought someone flowers just because???!?!?!
#4
This cat that is closing the bathroom door to spare you from smelling what he just dealt: Your poop doesn’t smell like roses, be KIND to your roommate, why dontchya!
#3
This cat that calmly asks to be pet: And pet ye shall recieve.
#2
This dog who knows to keep her legs crossed while in fancy company: I CAN SEE YOUR PANTIES WHEN YOUR LEGS ARE OPEN LIKE THAT.
#1
And finally, the politeness of Japanese people has rubbed off on this deer in Nara Park, Japan. As tourist Daniel Speight feeds the deer, it politely bows its head a couple of times as thanks for the food!
The French writer Joseph Joubert once wrote, “Politeness is the flower of humanity.” And it’s a simple fact that people just return to you what you give out, so try it sometime if you aren’t already!