The power of good manners
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EmailFind out why good manners are vitally important.
Have you ever been told to mind your manners, or observed someone who didn’t use their manners? We have all been told this or have observed others saying it, but using good manners is like any other skill that needs to be practiced. Using words like please, thank you and excuse me need to be practiced. They aren’t like a possession where once you own it, you have it forever. Good manners are developed over time, practiced regularly and intentionally added into communications with others.
What exactly are good manners? That can be rather difficult to define since interpreting what “good” is can be different for everyone. However, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living provides the following insight about manners:
- Manners are something to be used every day to make a good impression on others and to feel good about yourself at work, home or with friends.
- Good manners go beyond opening doors and writing thank you notes. True courtesy goes deeper! Being polite and courteous means considering how others are feeling.
- When you practice good manners, you’re showing others that you’re considerate of their feelings and respectful. You’re also setting standards for other’s behavior and encouraging them to treat you with the similar respect.
What is the key to good manners? How is this achieved? How is it practiced? The answer is simple! It’s in the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated.
For more articles on child development, academic success, parenting and life skill development, please visit the Michigan State University Extension website.
