The Importance of Manners: A Lesson from a Family Dinner
Discover the transformative power of manners and how simple acts of politeness like saying “please” and “thank you” can improve relationships, foster respect, and create a more harmonious society.
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This past Friday, we took the family out to a local restaurant. While what we ate doesn’t matter. I have my kids, ages six and eight, order their own food.
“What would you like?”
“Can I have some water to drink, please?”
“Can I order a lemonade, please?”
“I would like a hamburger with French fries, please.”
“Do you want ketchup on it?”
“Yes, please.”
“How about this?”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
In our house, we call this good manners. I believe manners are incredibly important and are becoming a lost art. Many people know me as a Southern gentleman, a title I take pride in. It might be a Southern thing, but I want to emphasize why manners are crucial and why we should all embrace them.
You’ve heard me talk about empathy before, and I believe manners are a key element of empathy. Here are several reasons why having manners is essential:
Improved Relationships
Good manners foster positive interactions and help build strong, respectful relationships with others. Respect is at the core of manners, and it’s something I’ll return to repeatedly. Manners are all about respecting others.
Positive Impressions
Manners create a favorable impression, making you more likable and approachable. They enhance communication by showing respect and consideration for others, making conversations more pleasant and effective. Using polite language and avoiding rudeness or foul words shows respect for those around you.
Conflict Resolution
Manners play a vital role in conflict resolution. They help de-escalate conflicts and promote peaceful resolutions through respectful dialogue and understanding. Respect is key here as well.
Professional Success
In the workplace, manners can significantly impact your career. Someone who is polite and has good manners is more likely to get promoted compared to someone who uses foul language and is disrespectful. Manners demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and the ability to work well with others, which is rooted in respecting others.
Cultural Respect
Manners show awareness and respect for cultural differences, helping to bridge gaps and foster inclusion. When you are respectful and mindful of other people, they are more likely to show you respect in return, creating a friendlier environment.
Personal Satisfaction
Practicing good manners can lead to a sense of personal fulfillment and self-respect. Knowing that you are treating others with kindness and consideration not only respects others but also boosts your self-esteem.
Social Harmony
Good manners contribute to a more cooperative society where individuals feel respected and valued. This creates a harmonious social environment.
Building Trust
Manners help build trust and credibility. They reflect integrity and a caring attitude towards others, which fosters trust.
Educating and In Closing
Teaching my children to say “yes, sir,” “yes, ma’am,” “please,” and “thank you” sets a positive example. When you show respect to service workers, like servers in restaurants, it makes them feel valued and respected. This often leads to better service and creates a ripple effect of positive influence.
Why wouldn’t we want to be respectful to everyone as much as possible? Reflect on this: wouldn’t a more respectful world be a better place? We’ve become so hostile towards each other. What if manners were a solution to making things better?
Try practicing good manners at work, in your personal life, and in your interactions with strangers in public. I’d love to hear how these experiences go for you.
If you enjoy these short, five-minute lessons, ideas, and thoughts every Friday, please share them. I hope to spread these positive influences and encourage others to think and be better. Take care.