Miss Manners
Like the majority of girls, I would read this column occasionally growing up, along with Dear Abby. Sometimes I would think “That’s crazy” and sometimes I would agree with what Miss Manners had to say. A lot of times I would think “Why do you even have to ask that? Shouldn’t the answer to that question be common sense!?” Well, apparently it’s not in this day and age.
You may call them old fashioned, or you can call them southern, but here’s a list of things that I want Kate to know or do as she grows up. And maybe this is just a list that we all need to be reminded of every now and then.
1. Always say please, thank you and excuse me.
2. Say yes ma’am and no ma’am and yes sir and no sir.
3. Have common courtesy. Here are a few examples:
– The person you’re physically talking to has priority, whether it is someone you know or someone you don’t know, like a cashier at a register. Don’t answer your cell phone. Let it ring and call whoever it is back.
– Hold the door for the person behind you. If someone holds the door for you, say thank you! Don’t just walk right through it like it was expected that they hold it for you.
4. Leave good tips for those who are serving you if they did a good job- restaurants, hotel maids, etc. If you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford the service.
5. If you get an invitation that requests an RSVP, respond! Not sending a response isn’t a decline or a “no”, it’s just rude.
6. Send real thank you notes.
7. Offer to help.
8. Know the difference in an inside voice and an outside voice- and use them!
9. Don’t interrupt someone when they’re talking.
10. Being on time means being a little early. There is no such thing as fashionably late.
I read a good quote the other day and thought I’d share it. It’s something to think about…
The hardest job kids face today is learning good manners without seeing any.
Fred Astaire