by Donna Marie Gray

Created on: June 04, 2010

Manners are intended for use by all members of society. A person’s financial standing has nothing to do with being kind, considerate and respectful toward other people.

People who are rude and condescending to others are basically insecure. Their lack of manners is apparent through their attempt to appear superior to those around them.

Having manners is not just about interacting with others. Etiquette includes our personal behavior when dining, as well as our responsibility for responding to invitations, receiving gifts and even when applying for employment.

Our written word should be as considerate and precise as our spoken words. Again, one’s financial standing does not ensure good manners. Manners are taught to the very young so they become a part of their personality. We teach children to share. We teach them not to talk with food in their mouth, and to chew their food with their mouth shut. And, we teach children to say please and thank you.

If manners are not taught to young children, they grow up to be slovenly, rude and selfish. They do, in fact, display ignorance in the true sense of the word. One can be educated and/or wealthy and still be ignorant.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of concern in today’s society with regard to manners. We live in an extremely fast paced world where much is done through technology. We do not interact on a one on one level and have lost the art of putting our best foot forward. It is assumed that most of the people we are in contact with are people we will never see face to face. This leads to taking short cuts in our interactions and disregarding the need for etiquette of any kind.

Many people find they do not have time for seeking meaningful relationships. They sacrifice the interaction with others by using on-line dating services, or meet people on phone dates. These do not involve personal interaction where one can observe the other’s genuine sincerity. There is usually a period of communication time before actually meeting. A lot of deception can take place during that time.

Why the idea that only the wealthy need to use manners has come about is a mystery. Manners is simply using common sense, being courteous, considerate, and sensitive to the feelings of others. Actually, manners is something that cannot be bought. We have learned our manners and use them at all times, or we go through life being ignorant, inconsiderate and selfish.

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