The Secret to Great Manners
"Nothing is less important than which fork you
use. Etiquette is the science of
living.
It embraces everything.
It is ethics. It is honor."
- Emily Post
(1872-1960)
Author
When it
comes to talking about or teaching good manners and the principles of
etiquette, the first name to cross peoples lips is that of Emily Post, born on
October 27, 1872. Mrs. Post was a New
York socialite and a well known writer.
In 1922, at the age of 50, Emily Post publisher her most well known
work, Etiquette in Society, in Business, in Politics, and at Home. This book was a best seller and launched
Post's career as a frequent guest on radio programs and a columnist in some 200
newspapers nationwide.
When we think of good manners
many think of things like saying "please" and "thank
you". We talk of when to stand as
someone enters or leaves a room and what fork to use for your salad and which for
your meat. The fact is, true etiquette
has very little to do with those things.
I believe that it is important to know how to handle yourself when in
public and to show care and respect to those you meet daily, however, true
manners is much more.
True Manners is showing respect
The success-minded person shows
their manners by respecting everyone and treating them with the courtesy they
deserve. They never look down or
mistreat other people because they are different, poor or in need. The mark of true manners is respect.
True Manners is showing kindness
There is nothing more important
in our behavior than the ability to show kindness to others. This means that we not only are kind in our
actions toward others but in our words and how we speak to and of other
people. The person who talks kindly to someone
and then slanders them behind their back is not showing good manners. Good manners are practiced even when no one
else can see us. The mark of true
manners is kindness.
True Manners follows the Golden Rule
We all know the Golden Rule: Do to others as you want them to do to you. If we treat others with the same quality of
behavior that we expect for ourselves, we will have good manners. Manners have one universal quality that must
be present at all times, it is the kind, respectful and courteous treatment of
others. No matter what fork you use, how
often you open a door for others or say thank you when the door is opened for
you, if you treat others badly you do not possess good manners. The mark of true manners is how we treat
others.
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