Sunday, August 12, 2012

Etiquette; Please and Thank You are STILL the Magic Words


18th-Edition-Cover-WO
via Emily Post

Emily Post's latest edition on etiquette includes manners for a new world.  From my observations, manners are certainly lacking in this "new world."  Was I part of the last generation to learn how to: write a thank you note, identify yourself when making a phone call, arrive on time, stand in line patiently, refrain from using technical devices during meals, dress professionally for work, or censor what is shared on Facebook?  We have all been in a public area and have heard," the inappropriate cell phone converssation," right?

Let me continue (my rant), as a note to all of you brides and mom's to be, I know you think a shower is ALL ABOUT YOU, but getting a gift, a sitter, fighting traffic and spending my afternoon with you was a big deal to ME.  (Maybe, I ought to gift you Emily Post's book?) Please, don't forget to show your appreciation by dropping a note of thanks in the mail. AND please do not have your guests address their envelope for you.

If you are someone who: uses thank you, excuse me, please, acknowledges gifts and sweet gestures, responds to invites, knows how to introduce someone appropriately, has table manners, and is just plain courteous, I thank you!  You are modeling behaviors that our society should embrace.  If you are a parent who models and holds your children accountable to using manners, I am grateful!

Manners do matter...use them and see how the world treats you.

Thanks, I appreciate you indulging me on this one!

6 comments:

  1. As a former teacher and grandmother of nine, I like this post very much and offer the following suggestion for a book about manners. In a society full of bullying and self-centered children, it is helpful to teach your children the benefits of consideration for others and being polite as early as possible. The Magic Word is an award winning book emphasizing good manners, which can be read to toddlers. It is a rhyming story of a little girl who was rude, selfish and demanding – and had very few friends. Her mother suggested that she needed to improve her manners; so when she went to school the next day, she thought of her mother’s advice, “What is the magic word?” and she started saying “Please” and also “Thank You”. She tried to become more thoughtful of others, and discovered that she was a much happier person. The repetitive use of the phrase “What is the magic word?” has children answering “Please”!

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  2. Sherrill, your book recommendation sounds like the perfect read for my little ones! Thank you for sharing it with us. From one a former teacher to another, my hats off to you for continuing to teach through your book!

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  3. always nice to meet fellow croatian blogger :)wonderful suggestions!

    xoxo,

    Fashion Fractions

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  4. i think this would be an interesting read. I always like reaidng about proper etiquette!

    http://coffeebeansandbobbypins.blogspot.com//

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