Losing Human Manners In Our Society

Last year, the LRT was packed. The train had a packed feeling. She was seated in the LRT. However, everyone else on board was engrossed by their phone and paid no attention to her. Nearby, someone was shouting loudly on their phone about the issues they were having with their wife. I was trying to exit the train as it approached the next stop but couldn’t get out because of the crowds.

Has this ever happened to you? My parents taught the magic words to me as a child. In such a setting, I’ve come to realize that good manners are an important value.

But people today are losing their manners. Here are some statistics. According to The University of Chicago’s 2016 survey, Americans believe that 74% of their manners are worse than they were in the previous decades.

Today, I will share with you the three benefits that good manners can bring to you: socialising, improving your relationships, and enhancing your career.

Let’s start with the first point.

A popular saying says that there is no such thing as an island. We cannot survive without socialising with others. Good manners are a great way to improve your social skills. You are walking down the corridor of a school with a pile of books and files and you bump into someone. The books and documents fall to the ground, but the person who did it runs off without saying anything. How do your feelings change when you experience this? I would be very angry and upset at the person. You will be treated well if you are polite to others. Tell you a story. Back in the early 2000s, I shared an apartment with a middle aged couple. Every time I passed them, I would greet them. But they never acknowledged me. This continued for four or five weeks, but I still welcomed them. On one occasion, I brought them a chocolate-flavored cake. When I invited them into their apartment and gave them the chocolate cake, they were shocked. A couple that I met at this event gave me gifts for my birthday, and also during the holiday season. The couple’s good manners was no doubt reciprocated.

Good manners can also be beneficial in different relationships.

Your friends will remember your manners and contact you at future events. Respecting your friend’s schedule is a good example of how to be polite. A similar situation occurred to me recently. I had to go to a coffee shop to pick up something from a friend. So, I set up an appointment for her to meet me two days prior to the date. I went back to the coffee shop and waited, but she didn’t come. I then had to call. When I called, she only said that she couldn’t at the time appointed. She did not tell her that she was going to be late. On time arrival and respecting appointments can strengthen friendships.

The closer the family bond is when everyone works together. Good manners can be demonstrated in the family by using words like “Please”, “Thank You”, and “I’m sorry” when you ask or receive something. StageofLife.com says that 97% learn manners at home. For me, when I ask my dad for help buying something, I will always bargain and say “Please”. When I don’t obey my mother, I always say “Sorry”. I will always thank my older brother for offering me a dessert or a drink. Respect in the family allows us to live harmoniously and peacefully.

Last but not least, having good manners can be a big help at work.

Kristen Salyer – Senior Editor, Ladders.com – stated in a recent article that good manners is important for your career because it’s part of soft skills. As you progress in your career, you’ll have to interact more with people. Good manners can be displayed in many ways at work. Knocking on the door of your manager or boss’s office before entering is a good way to show respect. If you’re talking on your phone to co-workers loudly, it may be rude. In a discussion, it’s best to let other people speak, rather than arguing back. When my dad was in Britain years ago, when he paid for his meal with a credit card, he handed it to the waitress. She then returned it by tossing it on the table. He thought that the waitress had been rude towards him. This incident led him to decide not to visit this restaurant ever again. If you’re polite in your communication with customers and use body language to show that, then it will increase sales. They will be pleased with the service you provide and will continue to patronise you.

You will learn how to make friends, improve your family relationships and develop your future career.

People would live in a better world if more people gave up seats to the elderly and were considerate to use the phone softly. Please start showing good manners towards everyone you meet. Keep up the good work.

Please accept my sincere thanks.