Where are your manners?

When we were little, our parents taught us the importance of basic courtesy and manners. We learn quickly to say “thank you” when we receive something from others and we greet our elders respectfully. We knock before we enter a room and we ask for permission to change the channel.

Yet somewhere in between puberty and hormonal changes, we’ve forgotten our manners. We no longer regard the feelings of others and we lash out and swear at them. Our apologies come with double meanings.

“I’m sorry, but I’m NOT sorry”

There is a reason why manners, like basic survival skills have been imparted from our ancestors to us. When a child runs around spewing profanities, it is not him who gets faulted. The parents get the blame for allowing such incivility. Appalled onlookers point their fingers at the parents and their good names are tarnished.

Sometimes, when we’re in the company of close friends, we forget the need for manners. We choose instead to use street talk and lingos to communicate with each other. “Stop being an ass!!!” “You’re a faggot!”

Not only is this kind of talk rude; when exacted improperly, it can land you a potential law suit.

We live in an era where manners are chief to surviving in the world. First impressions are formed right from the moment you exchange your handshake. If you snub someone who extends her hand to shake yours, you can be sure you’re in for a long evening. If you have a habit of unabashedly sneezing or coughing without covering your mouth, do yourself a favor; kick it.

For you to develop swagger (the successful, winning attitude; not the ghetto, smack talk kind), you must first understand the importance of manners. A man with manners thinks before he acts. He is conscious of what he says and what he does.

Many of us take for granted our “thank you” and “please” and “welcome”. We think it is okay for us to omit these words of appreciation, because we think that the other party knows it anyway. Yet, unspoken words remain as such. If you don’t communicate your appreciations, she doesn’t know you feel that way.

It comes as no surprise to us that popular culture has referred these words as “the magic words”. Indeed, it can do wonders for you if you know better than to isolate them in your everyday conversations.

Think back to the time a senior colleague of yours thanked you for your efforts. Or the time your boss asked for a favor politely and he said “please”. Immediately, you gain respect for these people, because they are well mannered. You spring into action and you try to meet his request, before you can’t wait for your boss’ thank you.

Now, imagine the kind of respect YOU can garner from your fellow colleagues.

Simple gestures such as holding the door and passing a pair of scissors by holding the blade in your hands can go a long way. Indeed, these are trivial acts that can often go unnoticed. But once someone fails to adhere to it, an outrage ensues.

“Are you FREAKING trying to stab me with the scissors?”

Whether it is at a workplace or in school, everyone likes a cultivated colleague or friend. A man with swagger uses the magic words lavishly, and he strikes others with a good impression. People are more likely to take notice of you when you appear to be well-mannered.

We thank you for the time in reading this piece.