.png){kind=small}
Proper etiquette and manners are necessary for us to coexist and live in harmony as a society, and they are something that is less and less practised in a world where we go about our daily lives looking down at our phones most of the time oblivious to our own surroundings.
We've never been so connected but yet so disconnected at the same time.
How you conduct yourself in a social environment is extremely important and carries more weight than a lot of other things, more than how much money you have or which school you attended.
You tend to treat everybody you meet with courtesy and kindness when you have good manners and practice basic etiquette rules, and this treatment and awareness of others go beyond age, race, colour and background.
Make the world a better place, whilst feeling good about yourself with these simple gestures! In the current world, we live in, we definitely need to.
SAY 'PLEASE' AND 'THANK YOU'.
An oldie but a goodie, it doesn't take much.
CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF.
At home. At work. At someone's house. At the park. At the beach. It's the right thing to do.
MAKE EYE CONTACT.
Especially when someone is talking to you.
SMILE.
At the cashier, security guard, or your colleagues, it's easy and instantly lifts moods.
SAY HELLO.
If you see someone you know on the street or in the shops, say hello.
BE GENUINE.
Give genuine compliments. Be genuinely interested in what the other person is saying.
KNOCK BEFORE YOU ENTER.
It's common courtesy. No one likes someone who barges in.
REMEMBER YOUR TABLE MANNERS.
Don't chew with your mouth open, it's disgusting!
MIND YOUR SNEEZE.
Sneeze and cough into the crook of your elbow or a handkerchief. Just cover that mouth.
LEARN TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY.
Be the bigger person.
WIPE DOWN THE EQUIPMENT YOU'VE USED AT THE GYM.
It would be appreciated.
HOLD THE DOOR FOR THE PERSON BEHIND YOU.
It's a nice thing to do.
HELP SOMEONE WHO'S STRUGGLING.
It's that person at the grocery store reaching out for something on the top shelf, or an elderly trying to cross the street, or the mom with three kids and hands full of bags trying to open the door. You would make their day.
LET PEOPLE GET OFF THE ELEVATOR FIRST BEFORE YOU GET ON.
All it takes is a little patience.
PUT SOME EFFORT INTO YOUR APPEARANCE.
It's having respect for yourself.
BE ON TIME.
Have respect for other people's time.
SAY EXCUSE ME.
Especially when you bump into someone.
DON'T JUMP THE QUEUE.
Why are people still doing this?! How is this okay in any society?
MIND YOUR BUSINESS.
Nobody likes a busybody.
DON'T OFFER UNSOLICITED ADVICE.
Just don't.
BE CONSIDERATE IN LITTLE WAYS.
Be polite. Don't interrupt. Don't speak loud on the phone when you have people around you. Don't take up two seats on public transport. Give your seat up to older people and pregnant women. Avoid driving through puddles whilst passing pedestrians. Just use common sense.
LISTEN MORE THAN YOU SPEAK.
There might be a reason why we have two ears and one mouth.
PUT THAT PHONE DOWN!
Seriously! Especially in the company of other people.
KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Not everyone has the same beliefs as you and will agree with what you say, and that's okay.
GENERALLY, BE RESPECTFUL!
Enough said.
Final Thoughts.
We've heard the saying, “Treat others the way you want them to treat us”. Practising good manners and etiquette just shows that you have respect for others, and in return, you are most likely to be treated the same, with respect and trust.
In a world where rudeness and being self-absorbed are prevalent, why not stand out for kindness, politeness and thoughtfulness?