Etiquette for Kids – My how manners have changed
Tipnut.com has shares 12 Rules of Etiquette for Kids as they were in the 1950’s. I plan on running these suggested rules by my kids to capture their response – but something tells me I’ll hear a little “what the…?” and “your kidding me!” Especially when it comes to “Always rise to a standing position when a visitors enter and greet them after your elders.”
I can just see my kids doing that!
Not!
I know kids today aren’t the most mannerly creatures on the planet and I think I’m doing a bang-up job when I see my kids say please and thank you and when they keep their mouth shut when older people are talking. I’ve even felt a flush of pride pour over my face when I see them hold the door for older ladies entering or exiting a public place we may be visiting.
How on earth have manners changed so drastically in a single generation or two? What it must be like for my parents or even my grandparents generation to see how these rules and manners have changed!
Personally, I think we’ve become such a society that stresses the need to “express our individuality” even if it means being a douche-bag to people and throwing manners entirely out the window.
I like to express my individuality by doing something different with my hair or in my style of dress – that by the way, is not offensive to the public.
Do you think manners should be thrown aside in order to allow people to be individuals or to express themselves?
I would love to hear some of your thoughts. Please and thank you!
One Response to “Etiquette for Kids – My how manners have changed”
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# kation 20 May 2010 at 2:24 pmI believe that manners are unfortunately not taught well and enforced like they used to be. As responsible adults we need to make sure these social protocols aren’t completely lost. Psychologists and social workers have not helped the situation by defining children as “whole beings”. Yes perhaps they are whole, but they’ve only lived a partial life, making their lives a lot less whole than those of their “elders”. This is the topic I wish to discuss. Respect of elders. Today on Facebook, a person who considers herself to be an excellent mother and tells the world of it daily, posted on FB how proud she is whenever her 4 year old corrects adults for not taking off their hats in a building. I had a little trouble with that one. First of all if any of my children EVER attempted to correct an adult, I would very quickly apologize on their behalf and then insist they apologize. True the person should remove his hat in public, but it is not appropriate for a 4 year old to tell him so. It is insulting and uncalled for. The parent should be embarrassed and not proud, over such behaviour, and reprimand the child accordingly. America needs more manners!
