It’s free to show good manners in life, yet sadly, not everyone seems to be capable of this. Thankfully, this only goes to show how well some people are brought up by their parents, as many people still show their P’s and Q’s. If you wish to set yourself apart, here are some traditional etiquette for you that reflect exceptional upbringing.
Offering Your Seat
Many people don’t consider giving up their seat to even be manners; it’s a necessity in life, allowing others who are more in need, such as pregnant women, disabled people, or the elderly, to be accommodated safely. Good parents will always teach their children this, emphasizing that it’s not a matter of politeness but respect.
Listening Without Interrupting
Somehow, society has gone downhill when it comes to basic listening skills. Many people interrupt each other as if they’re having a competition to see who can speak the loudest, not a conversation. Thankfully, people who were brought up properly know that this is rude, so they’ll always listen without interrupting, genuinely taking an interest in what people have to say.
Proper Table Manners
Not everyone deems table manners as necessary these days, such as chewing with your mouth closed, using utensils correctly, and waiting for everyone to be served before eating. It’s true that some rules, such as no elbows on the tables, seem a little old-fashioned, but if you can’t eat a meal without showing everyone what’s inside your mouth, you clearly weren’t brought up with basic manners.
Greeting Others Respectfully
When somebody gives someone else a warm, sincere greeting, they immediately establish a positive first impression. Saying “hello” with a smile and a firm handshake is such a simple gesture, but, as Betty Parker reminds us via LinkedIn, it shows a basic level of respect just by acknowledging the presence of others. It reflects a good upbringing these days, as sadly, some people just weren’t taught such basic manners.
Saying “Please” and “Thank You”
Perhaps the most important etiquette to remember in life is saying “Please” and “Thank you.” Such basic politeness will never go out of fashion; it’s just nice to use “please” when requesting something and “thank you” when receiving it. It demonstrates basic gratitude and humility, and when people still use them today, it shows that their parents did a good job at raising them.
Holding the Door Open
Nobody likes it when the door gets slammed in their face, so people who hold the door open for others are very thoughtful. It’s a sign of good manners, regardless of whether it is for a stranger or a friend, showing awareness and consideration for those around you. Sadly, many people don’t do this anymore, but those who were raised properly know that it’s only polite.
Writing Thank-You Notes
Any grandparent will tell you that there’s no better feeling than receiving a handwritten thank-you note from their grandchild. This isn’t just something for seniors; everyone appreciates these personal and thoughtful notes, even if they’re not handwritten. It’s just a matter of showing your gratitude, something that well-accustomed parents will always teach their children.
Addressing Others Properly
While it may seem a little old-fashioned and traditional these days, no harm will ever be done by using property titles when addressing people, such as “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” “Dr.,” or even “ma’am” and “sir.” Good parents will usually teach their children to use these titles, and if the recipient person finds it unnecessary and would prefer people to use their name, then they’ll tell them exactly that.
Arriving on Time
There’s nothing ruder than someone demonstrating a complete lack of respect for others’ time. All you must do is leave the house early enough to meet someone punctually, and at the very least, the other person should be told if you are running late. It’s just common courtesy, something that anyone with a good upbringing will know.
Offering Assistance
These days, some people look at offering assistance as some sort of transaction, expecting something in return. This is very sad to see; back in the day, people would help each other out of good manners, happily volunteering to carry the groceries, assist with directions, or lend a helping hand in times of need. Thankfully, these people still exist, but only if they were brought up right.
Dressing Appropriately
There’s no denying that fashion has changed dramatically over the years, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t dress appropriately. When attending formal events, dinner parties, or even just a casual meetup, it’s polite to dress appropriately, something that comes as second nature to people who have a superior upbringing.
Respecting Personal Space
If someone was raised by kind and caring parents, you can guarantee that they’ll understand the value of personal space. Keeping an appropriate distance and being mindful of physical boundaries reflects awareness and consideration for others’ comfort, something that, sadly, few people seem to have these days.
Making Eye Contact
It’s not always easy to make eye contact, but trying your best, even in the face of social anxiety, reflects a positive upbringing. It demonstrates attentiveness and that you are engaged in what the other person is saying, a subtle yet powerful aspect of respectful communication.
Apologizing Sincerely
Nobody likes to hear a fake apology–that defeats the point completely. Instead, apologies should always be provided in a genuine and sincere manner, especially when you’ve made a serious mistake. It demonstrates accountability and humility, not just a formality, something that those with good upbringings understand the difference between.
Not Speaking Loudly
Another traditional etiquette that reflects a superior upbringing is keeping your voice at a moderate level in public spaces and keeping quiet when in spaces that request silence. It’s such a basic act of consideration that you might find comes naturally, but unfortunately, too many people these days seem to have no concept of volume control.
Practicing Good Hygiene
You would think that everyone would want to practice good hygiene, smelling, and looking clean for themselves and the people around them. This is certainly the case for people who have been raised well, but unfortunately, not everyone has had such a privilege.
Showing Respect for Elders
If someone isn’t able to show respect for their elders, it’s clear that they weren’t raised well. We wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for older people, so people who have been raised by good parents will always treat them with kindness and respect. Sadly, a lot of kids don’t understand this basic act of gratitude these days.
Being a Good Host
You should never feel obliged to host elaborate parties for people, but if you do have guests around, even if it’s someone doing a job for you, it’s thoughtful to treat them well. Something as simple as giving your guests a warm welcome, offering them a drink, or telling them to make themselves comfortable makes a big difference, something that most people learn from their parents.
Thanking Service Workers
We mentioned earlier how important it is to say please and thank you, yet for some reason, some poorly raised people think that this doesn’t apply to service workers. Of course, it does; if anything, they should get extra thanks for all their hard work. Remember this, and you’ll help make their day a lot more positive.
Exercising Patience
One of the most important traditional etiquettes that reflects a positive upbringing is showing patience, which many people these days seem to struggle with. Life isn’t always easy, and many people don’t know their manners, but instead of getting upset with them, show them patience. This way, perhaps they will learn from their mistakes.