Guest blog by Jackie Dudley, Columbus Junior Cotillion and Professional Etiquette and Protocols, LLC
Being Polite Takes Practice
Manners are about making others feel comfortable and sometimes it can be hard for a child (and even an adult) to step out of their comfort zone to help make others feel comfortable. It takes practice. So before heading back to school in August (either at school or distance learning), encourage everyone in your home to practice politeness.
Here is a list of some ways to show good manners through your everyday actions at home:
- Pick up after yourself and keep your personal spaces tidy
- Clean the bathroom without being asked
- Help wash the dishes and clean the table after a meal
- Take out the trash
- Set the table for a family meal
- Do not use a device while eating together–Focus on one another
- Do not talk with food in your mouth
- Ask to be excused after finishing a meal or when needing to get up from the table
- Say thank you when someone does something for you
- Be respectful to your parents and to those in authority
- Do something nice for someone that is unexpected
- Apologize when appropriate by saying “I’m sorry” and mean it
- Say please when making a request
- Ask for items to be passed at the table instead of reaching for them
- Give a compliment to someone
- Help when you can where there is a need for any type
- Return something that is borrowed and in the best possible condition
- Perform household chores cheerfully and thoroughly
- Use good table manners
- Be aware of the noise you make and try not to disturb others
- Open and close doors quietly
- Knock on a door or ask permission before entering someone’s room
- Walk up and down stairs quietly
- Think before you speak
- Share love and show others how much you care. A simple phone call or video call can really make someone’s day
- Show gratitude to those that are helping you now more than ever
- Show gratitude to those that are helping others-Look for the everyday heroes in your world
- Pick some flowers or greenery from your yard or draw a picture of them and either take them to someone or send the picture
- Be positive
- Use good posture
- Make your bed
- Don’t post or say something aloud that is unkind. Just because you can does not mean you should.
- Smile often
- Give someone a hug
- Add your own ideas and go make your world happier and kinder
Practice politeness and encourage others to do the same. Before you know it the polite patterns of behavior will begin to positively impact interactions outside of your home, too.
Copyright ©2020 Jackie Dudley, Columbus Junior Cotillion and Professional Etiquette and Protocols, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is strictly prohibited and is a violation of copyright law. In all cases, this notice must remain intact.
