Basic Manners And Etiquettes

Throughout my life , I have felt connected to my mother in a different way than I have felt connected to anybody else. Years ago, my mom and I was sitting in the living room and talking while having an evening tea and my dad was sleeping in the bedroom suddenly door bell rang and I got up to open the door to see who had come , there was a little girl who entered in . Her name is Sanaya with her younger brother Sanan ( my friend’s kids ). It was not the first time they are coming to my house they come more often to play with me . I went to kitchen to get chocolates for them and my mom was very happy to see kids and started talking to them – What’s your name ? How old are you? What is your favourite thing to do? I was listening to their funny answers and laughing . Mom was also in a cheerful mood and reminded me that when you and your brother were of their age I used to accompany you every where and if somebody ask any question, both of you hide behind me or your dad and look at these kids, not shy at all in-fact they are very smart kids.She was totally impressed. After 15 minutes when they got comfortable with mamma the kids were running , yelling . I told them no running and screaming please and don’t enter the bedroom as my dad was sleeping . They did not listen . About an hour passes and there was lot of chaos. Nobody was listening, children out of control, jumping off beds, sofa, throwing cushions on each other, slamming glass door. I was like what the hell  happening in the house ? I called up their mother but the kids weren’t coming on phone. Then I heard the sound and went running and asked them what happened and I saw there was decoration piece broken. My heart jumps into my throat as it was very expensive and gifted by my husband on our marriage anniversary. They both vehemently deny it first and then blaming each other. I was so annoyed but prefer to stay calm. My basic manners were stopping me to say something bad or over reacting.Their mother calls them off . We all breathe a big sigh of relief . My parents took a trip down memory lane and went back to my childhood days and shared multiple stories – how much compliments they used to get from all the teachers and other parents ,everyone used to praise you and your brother for being quite, well behaved children. She continued “rarely heard somebody complaining about you both” . We always give priority to teaching basic etiquettes and manners to our children.It is up to parents to instil these values with whom children spend their maximum time. Home is the place where children learn to cherish traditional and family values.They learn ethics and moral values. Spending time with kids teaching them the basic of good manners and etiquettes by the time they reach 8 or 10 years when they completely understand what respect means and they can take these skills with them throughout their lives.No matter where you are at home, work or with friends practicing good manners and etiquettes are very important . These are the stepping stones of success in life. If you wait too long to teach basic manners to your children, it become major struggle later on.

I tried to change my parents mood but somewhere in my heart and mind I know what all they were saying was absolutely right. Reminded me of a beautiful lines read somewhere –

 “spending time with children is more important than spending money on children”. Always try to give respect to everyone not because they deserve respect from you . On the other hands it only shows your Manners and Etiquettes.

“GANPATI BAPPA MORAYA MANGALMURTI MORYA”

There are some of the basic etiquette and good manners which will help children to be more kinder and successful people throughout their lives. It takes so many years to build a reputation and just 5 minutes to ruin it. So keep this thing in your mind  always do things little better than is absolutely essential. 

• Say hello when you meet someone, Say goodbye when you leave

• Teach them to say  thank you when someone helps you or they receive something, please when they ask for something, sorry when they do something wrong or bump into someone. The basic motive is to make them understand they should be kind and treat everyone as they would want to be treated

• Listen to and obey your parents, teachers and other adults. Say yes Ma’am and yes Sir when talking to adults

• Inform parents where you are going and when you will come back. If late call them

• Stand in queues don’t push anyone

• Be a good listener

• Be polite and thankful to people who serve you 

• Teach them to be thankful to God for everything

• The family tradition of respecting the elders, at least  the name of the President and prime minister of their country, the national flag to be introduced and reinforced in children

• Not talking about someone behind someone’s back

• Do not make fun of others or comment on other people’s physical appearance  

• Not littering and keep the environment clean

• Follow “ Sharing is caring”

• When sitting in a group wait for your turn to come, let others finish before you speak

• When you make a phone call , introduce yourself first and then ask if you can speak to a person you are calling.

• Wash hands properly before and after eating, elbows off the table and sit straight ,chew with your mouth closed. Put away electronics and wait until everyone is seated and served before eating. Use utensils and napkins, take up your dishes when finished eating

• Don’t talk with food in your mouth

• Don’t slurp food or drinks

• Dress well and look presentable. Wear clean clothes

• Show some courtesy by thanking the driver when you board a bus or a taxi 

• Be honest and loyal to everyone

• Pick up your toys after finished playing

• Brush your teeth regularly

• Avoid habits that are unpleasant for others like spitting, leaving a dirty toilet

• Keep your promises

• Arrive on time. Punctuality displays a person’s respect for the people and time

• Don’t be too quick to react

• Be respectful and helpful. When an adult ask you for a favour , do it without grumbling

• Hold the door of a person behind you

• Have eye to eye contact with a person talking to you instead of looking here and there

• Use of handkerchief to cough or sneeze, don’t pick your nose in public, Cover your mouth when yawn

• Stand up when an elder enters the room and offer seat to them

• When you enter a room greet everyone present in that room whether you know or you don’t know them

• Avoid gossip or ignore someone in a group

• Do not interrupt when two elderly people talking with each other unless there is an emergency. Excuse me is the most polite way to enter the conversation

• Don’t call continuously if someone is ignoring your phone

• Never go to someone’s place without calling them first

• Ask for permission before touching or using someone else belongings

• Stay home when you are sick or not feeling well

• Knock before enter the room

• Let people get off the elevator first then enter in

• Always use perfume so that you smell good

• Avoid laughing unnecessarily and talking too loudly

• Avoid staring at people

• Always appreciate and respect everyone’s feeling, not speaking in a rude manner

Children wasn’t intentionally being rude, they simply didn’t know the difference between good manners and bad manners. Every parent thinks our child should know before pre school at least 1-10, letter recognition skills, colours, shapes but nobody focus on teaching basic manners and etiquettes to their children. Good manners will open doors that best education cannot. It’s up to parents to instil these values and show them the right path how to be trustworthy, kind to others so that they can take these skills with them throughout their lives. Try to be your children’s best friend and disciplinarian both. Remember, basic manners and etiquettes are very important in the long run for your own self and to help gain self respect.