30 Important Tips to Help You Succeed at Life
“Etiquette is the science of living. It embraces everything. It is ethics. It is honor.” ~ Emily Post
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” ~ Emily Post
Etiquette or manners . . . simply put, are the Golden Rule.
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12
Etiquette is behaving in ways that are both aware of and considerate of the people around us. A person with good manners treats everyone with kindness and respect. It is knowing how to get along without causing offense or harm.
Etiquette and Good Manners Tips to Help You Succeed
1. Say “please” and “thank you.”
2. RSVP
3. Make eye contact.
4. Be on time.
5. Keep your promises.
6. Tell the truth.
7. Learn someone’s name and use it.
8. Don’t gossip.
9. Don’t listen to gossip.
10. Avoid prying personal questions.
11. Use your inside voice inside.
12. Dress appropriately.
13. Dress modestly.
14. Let others go first.
15. Respect personal space.
16. Practice cleanliness.
17. Say “I’m sorry” and “please forgive me.”
18. Listen to others.
19. Think before you speak.
20. Don’t interrupt.
21. Show interest in others.
22. Don’t laugh at others misfortunes.
23. Don’t ridicule.
24. Keep negative opinions to yourself.
25. Never comment on a person’s appearance unless it’s a compliment.
26. Cover your mouth when you yawn, cough, or sneeze.
27. Offer your help to others.
28. Ask permission before you borrow something.
29. Be with the people you are with . . . put down your phone.
30. Disagree without being disagreeable.
Bonus – Be kind and respectful. Always. Everywhere.
Everywhere means just that…
- Family Etiquette and Manners
Do your family members take off their manners jackets when they walk in the door? Take the next 24 hours to listen and watch. Imagine your family helpful, kind, and respectful. Do you think everyone would be happier?
Don’t give in or give up. Make it a game. Keep it positive. Give points for good manners and ignore bad manners. Award small prizes for every 10 points earned or allow family members to accumulate points for larger prizes. Make sure mom and dad play too. Your example is essential.
- Workplace Etiquette and Manners
- Driving Etiquette and Manners
- Social Etiquette and Manners
- Internet Etiquette and Manners
- Pet Etiquette and Manners
Jay Remer – The Etiquette Guy says:
“Etiquette and good manners have sadly been replaced by an attitude of self-centeredness, entitlement and rudeness. If one is to succeed either socially or in business, recapturing both proper etiquette and good manners is essential.”
What do you think? His common courtesy become uncommon? Where do you find yourself the most frustrated with others?
It’s not unusual to hear someone say, “If I don’t take care of #1, no one else will.”
Do you know people with that philosophy? How would you respond to them?
Take some time over the dinner table tonight to talk with your family about etiquette and good manners.
I believe that behaving with etiquette and good manners provides increased peace, contentment, happiness, and success. That God hard-wired us to enjoy life more when we care for each other. What do you think?
You can get through life with bad manners, but it’s easier with good manners. ~ Lillian Gish
“Etiquette and good manners have sadly been replaced by an attitude of self-centeredness, entitlement and rudeness.” This is a source of almost constant frustration for me. If I’m not careful, I can get derailed pretty easily by this growing problem. My boys know it’s an issue for me, and they really are trying to have etiquette and good manners as much as teenage boys can. But I tell them that these are the types of things that will set them apart in life, and this is getting to be true more and more. Plus, it’s aligned with God’s Word to live with etiquette and good manners.
Good for you Kari, to stay persistent in teaching your boys the importance of good manners. Our daughter is practicing please, thank-you, and especially tone of voice with our 3 year-old grandson. I often wonder if people even hear themselves when they are talking to people in service roles.
You’re right, etiquette and good manners will set your boys apart. I’m confident they will appreciate it in the future even if they don’t love it now. Enjoy a blessing-filled day!!
Don’t even get me started on applying this to those in service roles. This is a huge area of annoyance from me, and one God is using to teach me patience, grace and mercy. Also, a common phrase we use with our boys these days is “tone is everything.” We’re trying to tell them it’s not always what you say but how you say it. Sincerity plays a role too.
Following your advice here would eliminate a world of heartache and trouble! Around our house, we try to instill ‘respect’ as the rule of the house. When something is said to mock or tear down, we bring it back to respecting others. When a classmate is talked about disparagingly, we ask them if that’s respectful. Their tone with us–respect. It’s helpful for us to bring it back to one rule and how God loves and cares for us. Good thoughts, Deb!
You’re right Jason, it is all about respect. Something I find interesting is people who expect respect from those they consider beneath them and maybe even give it to those over them, but don’t apply it in the reverse order.
Respecting peers, those in service, our children . . . it’s all in tone of voice and words chosen that will build up rather than tear down. Even discipline and challenging truth can be done with respect. Remember how much God loves us and cares for us is the perfect place to go every time. Thanks Jason!
Great reminders! Thanks for linking up with Woman to Woman’s Word Filled Wednesday! God bless!
That’s a great list, Deb! The thing that bothers me the most (concerning the manners subject) is when someone doesn’t even hear what I am saying. Or, they hear and just keep on talking about themselves. I think that when we take an interest in others, we are truly showing good etiquette… It is a kindness that seems to be losing ground recently.
Blessings, Joan
I agree Joan. I wonder if electronic communication promotes that. I also think it’s one of the reasons why relationships thrive when we spend time really listening and talking with each other. Good manners are simply caring about others and showing it. Thanks for adding to the conversation. Blessings!
I like your article. manners are very important part of life. You give many tips to mange manners. You may share ideas with us on our website.
Thank you Amanda. I appreciate you sharing your link. It’s wonderful to hear from someone else who is passionate about etiquette and manners. Blessings!