Having good manners is important to everyone Essay

The subject of my presentation is Having good manners is important to everyone especially in today’s society. It should not matter whether a person is at home, work, or just hanging out with friends; manners are always important in all that a person does. Your manners are important all of the time. It is possible to manners in the way a person walks, talks. However sometimes good manners are regarded as old-fashioned, something that are now out of date and unnecessary. It is true that opening doors for each other, waiting our turn to be served, often seems to be a thing of the past. Good manners provide a moment in time where someone stops and considers our needs, offers us a seat, asks us politely for something with a ‘please’ and says ‘thank you’ afterwards. These niceties may only take a second, but they are an important second in our busy world of rushing around, solely thinking of ourselves and what we need to do. Those moments can make us stop and consider the importance of noticing the other person, the waitress, the sales person. Do we really need to bark out our orders, demands? How much more pleasant would it be for all concerned if we asked for something politely, with a ‘please’ at the end of the request. And acknowledged receipt of it with a smile and a ‘thank you’. Road rage is evidence of extreme bad manners, which usually involves one person driving inconsiderately. Good manners are about appreciating that life is not all about us and what we want. Our needs have to be negotiated along with everyone else’. Now I would like to tell you the examples of the importance of good manners. First, Thank you letters are important. Whether someone has sent a gift or entertained you at their home, it is important to acknowledge their effort and thoughtfulness. They have done something special for you and a handwritten note or letter shows that you are prepared to respond and take the time to value what they have done and thank them for it. Writing a thank you letter is an important skill to learn. Constructing an effective letter, with good grammar and an important message is a valuable skill to have, and one that is rarely taught in these days of rapid texting and instant messaging. Next, saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to the people we deal  with when we want or need something is basic good manners. And ‘excuse me’ if we sneeze or cough, covering our mouth with a tissue. Holding the door open for someone else, offering an elderly person or a pregnant lady a seat are good manners but they are also demonstrating respect, empathy and consideration for the other person. A simple gesture like that can improve the mood and quality of someones’ day. But it is important to be respectful back and return the compliment with a simple thank you or a smile. Good manners are a two-way exchange. Even if we do not respect the person sometimes good manners are about respecting their position or status and what that represents. We may respect the fact that someone is a manager or a school teacher or highly educated and when they are in that role we moderate our behavior towards them and give them respect out of deference for their position.