- Midlife Male
- Posts
- What the Hell Happened to Common Courtesy?
What the Hell Happened to Common Courtesy?
PLUS: How to Catch Up on Your Finances After 40, The Real Villain of A Few Good Men, and more...
Greg Scheinman
September 07, 2025
Presented By:
NADS isn’t just an underwear upgrade, it’s a better choice for your health. And you know what I always say: “Make better choice the majority of the time, the majority of your life gets better”. That’s why my family and I choose NADS. NADS is made with certified organic cotton, no toxic dyes or harsh chemicals. Just clean, breathable comfort that keeps you feeling good, all day long. Your boys are counting on you.
Morning, Greg here!
Welcome to Midlife Male, the fastest-growing, #1 newsletter and lifestyle brand for men 40+. Hundreds of readers are joining us every day for actionable, relatable columns, exclusive interviews and stories you’ll find nowhere else to help you maximize the rest of your life. If a fellow MLM reader shared this with you, subscribe here:
In Today’s Issue of Midlife Male:
What the Hell Happened to Common Courtesy?
The Galactically Stupid Jo Galloway
How Men Over 40 Can Catch Up on Their Finances
6Fs: Be Their Safeguard, Not Just Their Parent, The Waffle Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed, & More
Let’s get to it!
What the Hell Happened to Common Courtesy?
I don’t know when it happened, but the level of rudeness and lack of basic consideration out there is off the charts. It feels like common courtesy has been put on the endangered species list. People shout into their phones in public like they’re the only ones in the room. They treat restaurants, airplanes, and theaters like their living rooms. They leave their trash everywhere and expect someone else to pick it up. They cut lines, block sidewalks, and stare at their screens while the rest of us are forced to dodge around them.
It’s selfish. It’s lazy. And it drives me nuts.
One of my biggest pet peeves is people who don’t make the slightest attempt to get out of the way when you’re walking towards each other.
It’s so simple. So basic.
I’m walking in the park. Someone’s coming right at me; walking, running, whatever. I immediately think about moving to my right so we don’t collide. It’s automatic for me. But I can’t tell you how often the other person doesn’t budge. Doesn’t make the slightest effort. And if I didn’t move? We’d be going shoulder to shoulder.
And let me tell you something; because of the state of society, where most people are obese or out of shape, they’d get the brunt of this collision. And I’m not trying to sound like a tough guy. It’s just true.
Now maybe they’re distracted. Maybe they’re entitled. Maybe they’re just clueless. But to me, this is a major thing. It’s rampant. And it tells you a lot about people. About manners. About respect. About courtesy and awareness.
Because it’s not just sidewalks. It’s everywhere. People FaceTiming on speaker in airport lounges. People boarding planes in pajama pants and slippers like they couldn’t bother to get dressed for society. People leaving their shopping carts wherever they feel like instead of walking them twenty feet to the rack…
The Galactically Stupid Jo Galloway
By Jon Finkel
Cord cut all you want, but there is no more serendipitous television feeling for a dude over 40 than to turn on the TV, flip through to AMC, and discover that A Few Good Men is on.
Doesn’t matter where you pick it up. Caffey hitting ground balls to Shirby. Jessup’s “I eat breakfast 300 yards from 4,000 Cubans who are trained to kill me” line. Caffey breaking up Smilin’ Jack Ross’ hoops game. Caffey’s cross examination of Noah Wiley about the mess hall. Kendrick on the stand. Markinson “the ghost” turning up in Caffey’s car. Or even if you’re right at the end before the Caffey vs. Jessup faceoff.
What do you wanna discuss now? My favorite color?
I’ve watched A Few Good Men or parts of it probably 1,000 times. My most recent watch was late last week and every time I catch something new or I appreciate something different; but one thing that rewatching this movie hammers home more and more is what a horrible, insufferable lawyer/colleague Commander Jo Galloway was.
Forget the fact that the movie starts with her bosses denying her request to represent Dawson and Downey herself. Look, she asked. Good for her. Way to show some moxy. But her bosses discussed it for about four seconds, and then said they’d rather have division assign someone, anyone, but her.
Then she meets Caffey, insults him right off the bat (“I thought I’d be taken seriously”), tries to get him removed from the case, then sneaks her way into talking to his clients with Aunt Ginny’s authorization.
Then, once she’s on the case, she becomes an annoying hall monitor in Cuba (“Are you going to investigate or just take the guided tour?”) and tries to embarrass Caffey in front of Jessup, which leads to his phenomenal “superior officer speech” so it was worth it.
And after pushing every button with Caffey, about not living up to his father’s expectations, about telling him that he’s a used car salesman and that he’s “nothing, live with that” they finally go to court to defend Dawson and Downey.
But this is where Commander Galloway really shines and by ‘shines’ I mean sucks…
How Men 40+ Can Catch Up on Their Finances
Ron Speaker is one of my favorite people. You know those guys that just exude quality; as a husband, father, provider and man…Ron’s that guy. He’s a bit older than me, and keeps himself in peak condition, so I look up to him. He has wisdom. He’s a mentor, advisor and friend. Around Aspen he’s better known as The Financial Consigliere.
Ron’s story is the kind of Wall Street journey you don’t hear every day. He started in the mailroom, worked his way up to securities analyst and portfolio manager, and ultimately managed several billion-dollar fixed income funds inside one of the most renowned equity houses. Over a 21-year career, Ron had the privilege of learning directly from some of the most legendary figures in the business.
I was introduced to Ron through our mutual friend Michael Umansky, and he was gracious enough to invite me out to Aspen, where he hosted a fireside chat and dinner for his clients around the release of my book. We became fast friends, and since then Ron has contributed dozens of thoughtful and impactful articles to Midlife Male. When I think of men who embody relatability, credibility, and aspiration all at once, Ron is at the top of that list.
After leaving Janus, Ron launched his own investment firm, serving ultra-high net worth families for 15 years. Today, he administers a private family foundation for one of his late mentors, a role that allows him to combine gratitude, legacy, and financial acumen. And perhaps most importantly, he’s paying it forward by running a Finance Camp for teenagers, teaching the power of compound investing early in life.
In our conversation, we dig into topics every family should be thinking about:
The power of 529s and Roth IRAs — and the Ryan Reynolds story that motivated Ron to start them for his own boys
Why the compounding magic of a 15-year-old investor looks radically different than at 35, 45, or 55
Understanding your investing personality across stocks, ETFs, and venture capital
Estate planning — why it may be the best money you’ll ever spend
Investing in companies you know and believe in
And how to simplify and organize finances for aging parents
This is a conversation about wisdom, discipline, and legacy, and I can’t think of anyone better to learn from than my friend, Ron Speaker.
In Health,
Greg
Be Their Safeguard, Not Just Their Parent
We never want our kids (young adults once they turn 18) to have anything go wrong. We never think it will. It won’t happen to us. Unfortunately, bad things happen. And it’s essential to be prepared.
A friend of mine just shared Mama Bear Legal Forms with me (and technically, it should also be Papa Bear) and it’s essential. I’m doing it. With the right legal documentation, you can be there for your child when they need it most. Mama Bear Legal Forms helps you navigate privacy laws to ensure you can provide care and support. Their straightforward process guides you in creating the essential forms, making sure you have all the legal power to assist your child. Take control of the situation and enjoy peace of mind as your child embarks on this journey. You are not just a parent, you are their safeguard.
Jon Takes 2nd in 1-Mile Ocean Swim in the Midlife Male Division (AKA, Over 40 haha)
From Jon:
“I compete in a series of ocean races every summer here in Florida. The typical distance is one mile, but as any ocean swimmer knows, it’s never one mile. Depending on the waves, the currents, the tides and a dozen other things including that you’re never able to swim a straight line in the ocean, you may end up swimming nearly two miles to complete the course. OR, when you’re swimming against the current it feels like you’ve got someone tugging you backwards, so it takes two or three times the strokes to go anywhere.
All of this is to say that I competed in a race this past Saturday and the current flipped on me during the last third-mile after the turn to the finish line. I had to kick my legs in high gear the whole way back and when I finally touched sand I was wiped out. So much so that the race announcer even said, “I know some of you are struggling coming out of the water” hahaha. Had to laugh at that. Took 2nd place for the 40-49 dudes and broke thirty minutes though, which was my goal. You can watch the video of me getting made fun of here. Sound up:
How Midlife Males Can Catch Up on Their Finances
Do not miss our Finance Consigliere, Ron Speaker’s column this week. In fact, you can’t afford not to read it. Check it out here.
The Waffle Upgrade You Didn’t Know You Needed
Heard of waffles? Of course you have. How about “Unwaffles”? Me neither… Until I was at the top of Jackson Hole mountain during 29029. I’m starving and these guys are like, “Hey, try these waffles.”
So I did. 14g of clean protein per serving, 34g of energizing complex carbs, and 7g of fiber. These are superwaffles. No isolates or seed oils here! Unwaffles are top 14 allergen-friendly, vegan, and verified celiac-safe. And they taste amazing. Check them out HERE.
- Greg
Slip Into Style
The Chelsea boot is a must-have in every man’s closet. No laces. No fuss. Slip ’em on, slip ’em off. Perfect for airports, easy on the knees, and they hit that sweet spot between sneakers and more formal shoes.
Sure, designers are out there pushing the limits with platform soles, higher cuts, funky twists. That’s cool if that’s your thing. But you don’t need to overcomplicate it. Keep it simple. Timeless beats trendy every time.
Our go-to right now? Common Projects. Clean. Versatile. Stylish without trying too hard. That’s the move.
Get Cold, Stay Young
Maybe my definition of fun is a little different than most; but I just upgraded my cold plunge and I’m so happy. Cold plunging has become an integral part of my lifestyle (and having a healthy lifestyle is where fun really starts…).
It’s not about how cold you can make it, or the extremes, it’s the simple, consistent practice of getting comfortable being uncomfortable. Increasing blood flow, energy, focus and decreasing soreness, lactic acid buildup, and the general aches and pains of middle age.
I’m loyal to Plunge.com. My first generation plunge served me well for years. The new All-In model is awesome. It’s longer, deeper, has a built-in chiller, and I can control it all via an app on my phone. Use code MidlifeMale for an exclusive discount and start having some fun getting cold.
-Greg
Read Our MOST POPULAR Cover Stories:
MLM Founder: Greg Scheinman / Follow Greg on Instagram & LinkedIn
Love Greg’s Viewpoint column? Visit the full Viewpoint Vault HERE where he shares his personal insights, experiences and perspectives on everything affecting midlife.
MLM Editor-in-Chief: Jon Finkel / Follow Jon on Twitter/X and Instagram
Love Jon’s Manologue column? Check out the full Manologue Archive HERE where he writes about pop culture, parenthood, sports, nostalgia & everything in between.
If you read Midlife Male most weeks and you loved this issue, we encourage you to share it with just ONE guy you know who would like it. That’s it.
One share would mean a ton to us.
Let’s call it our Midlife Male Gentlemen’s Agreement:
We’ll keep writing the #1 newsletter for midlife men for free and if you get anything out of it, our ask is that you pass it along to another guy who’d enjoy it too.
And if you do, we’re going to email you our popular Strength Training Program as a thank you.
Deal? Deal!
Use this link to share with your brother, buddy, colleague, friend, training partner or whoever you think would enjoy it and we’ll send you our Official MLM Strength Program right away!
Reply