How to Teach Good Manners

Good manners is something that most people don't see as often as they would like. It seems that good manners has become a lost art. People often think they have good manners if they say, "please" and "thank you" but good manners goes beyond being polite. A person's actions are just as important as their words when it comes to displaying good manners. Learn a few tips to help you teach good manners.

Instructions

1. Teach by example. The simplest way to teach good manners is to set a good example. If you want to teach good manners you have to have good manners. While saying, "please" and "thank you" is a good place to start you need to realize that inappropriate behavior is bad manners. For example, if you get in someone's refrigerator and help yourself without asking and then say thank you after you're done, that is still bad manners. Teach good manners by setting a good example.

2. Practice what you preach. Don't preach to your children or anyone else about their bad manners when you are doing exactly what you told them not to do. You are only sending a mixed signal when you behave in such a contradictory manner. Such behavior also teaches children and others that they don't need to follow the rules since you don't even follow your own rules.

3. Start with the small things first. The small things are often the most important so when teaching children or others good manners start small. Teach them to cover their mouth when they sneeze, wash their hands before eating and how to use a napkin before moving on to other things like which silverware to use at a formal dinner. This is also good hygiene but good hygiene and good manners often go hand in hand.

4. Use patience to teach patience. Children often lack patience. They tend to interrupt during adult conversations and don't like to wait their turn. Try to exercise patience in all of your dealings with others. Although it is not always easy to be patient it is important to try. Never interrupt others when talking. Wait your turn and teach children by your example how to be patient. Once you learn the basics of good manners using those manners becomes second nature. Use good manners when dealing with your children also. Treat them with respect and courtesy and they will learn to treat others the same.