Manners

Have some manners. Your manners are the mirror of your dignity. Don’t speak with food in your mouth. No story is too urgent for good table manners. Wait for others to serve their meal before eating. Give thanks to the Provider. Brush your teeth, trapped vegetables between your teeth irritate. When invited for dinner, never order a meal that you cannot afford. Anything can go wrong. Don’t borrow people’s clothes when visiting them. If you have a bedmate, never jump into bed before you shower and brush.  

When you meet people, acknowledge their presence. Learn to greet people. Look at them in their eyes. Nod your head to recognize their points. Teach your children to greet people. To stand when greeting seniors. Not to squeeze their way, but to give way. And to make use of the old magic words – sorry, please, excuse me, thank you. Manners make a man and count more in life than I.Q and hard work. 

Don’t spoil the air where others congregate. We have rest rooms for private business. Leave the restroom clean and fresh. Don’t leave your used cutlery on the dining table. Tidy up your mess. Make your bed. Never leave your smelling socks in the couch. Don’t interrupt others when they’re talking. Never jump the queue anywhere. Every person is important. Don’t bully other road users. Talk courteously to everyone especially those lowly regarded like the janitor, house-maid and security guard. 

Learn to answer and to end phone calls. And don’t call an unanswered personal phone more than three times within the hour. There’s a clear line between persistence and nagging. Don’t start a video call with a stranger. Don’t write a text or formal email in shorthand. Use emojis only with your buddies. Edit your work before clicking the ‘send’ button. We all make typos but some are very annoying and they reflect dunderhead. First impression lasts. Always put your best foot forward. Manners mature into morals.

Don’t be late for appointments. Never overindulge in corporate parties. Don’t you have a home to dine? In events, don’t sit front seat unless invited. Respect the event’s dress code. In a Couples’ Dance, reserve some moves and touches for your bedroom. Never borrow money from someone you’ve just met. Always keep time. Tactically excuse yourself before your host suggests you leave. At all times, study the mood. 

DR. K. N. JACOB.