Manners are important to society and to each of us as individuals, in that they codify and simplify many of the hundreds of little decisions we have to make every day. Contrary to modern thinking, manners don’t oppress us, they free us.

The talented and acclaimed actor William Macy made this point yesterday in a thoroughly admirable criticism of the unprofessional behavior of a younger colleague, the actress Lindsay Lohan, in her work on a film in which the two appeared together. As E! Online reports,

When it comes to tardiness, William H. Macy follows the golden rule. Do unto under-the-gun film crews as you’d have them do unto you.

"You can’t show up late," the Emmy winner said Thursday at a Los Angeles press junket for his new film, Everyone’s Hero. "It’s very, very disrespectful."

So let that be a lesson to you, Lindsay Lohan.

"I think what an actor has to realize [is that] when you show up an hour late, 150 people have been scrambling to cover for you," Macy said when asked about Bobby costar Lohan’s usual check-in time. The two share a scene together in the Emilio Estevez-directed drama about the 16 hours leading up to Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1968.

"There is not an apology big enough in the world to have to make 150 people scramble. It’s nothing but disrespect. And Lindsay Lohan is not the only one. A lot of actors show up late as if they’re God’s gift to the film. It’s inexcusable. They should have their asses kicked."

Habitual lateness may not just be a problem for Lohan but, according to Macy, despite his opinion that she’s a huge talent, "she was pretty late" all the same.

A studio spokesperson declined comment.

Lohan has some very good traits, I am sure, especially her expressed wish to travel to Iraq to entertain U.S. troops stationed there, but grand (and highly publicized) gestures do not wipe away other offenses, especially habitual ones.

Macy’s comment is just right, on all levels.

Cor bless yer, Mr. Macy! Cor bless yer!