Good Manners

Essay No. 01

If a man is bundle of habits, a gentleman is bundle of manners. As in the Middle Ages in Europe, the highest glory of man was to call himself a Christian, so in the 21^st Century the highest tribute that can be paid to a man is to call him a gentleman.

A man of good manners is an ornament, but a rude man is a plague to society. Good manners have always been the hallmark of noble soul. Christ washed the feet of his disciples and Lord Krishna washed the feet of his Brahmin guests. George Washington took his hat off to a Negro who saluted him. A friend of his reprimanded him for showing so much regard to a Negro as to take off his hat to him, but he replied that he could not allow a Negro to surpass him in good manners.

Good manners  are indispensable to all. They are a better possession than wealth, beauty or talent. Civility of speech and action is the only thing required of man. A French woman went to the extent of saying that she could not tolerate a breach of good manner,  she could never be put out by insults. Thus civility and courtesy are of greatest value to man. A merchant, who is not courteous, soon loses his customers.  A public officer, who is not courteous, soon becomes unpopular. If a lawyer wants to succeed at the bar, he must be courteous to his clients; if a professor like to be popular, he must deal with his students in a courteous manner.

A man, who does not possess good manners, cannot become well bred man. It is very clearly expressed by Dr. Johnson when he said that the difference between a well bred and an ill bred man is that one immediately attracts one’s liking, the other, one’s aversion. You love the one, he observes, ‘till you find reason to hate him, you hate the other till you find reason to love him.” It is true “manners make a man and want of it, a fellow.”

Good manners lend charm to people. They enhance the mobility of one’s nature and beauty of one’s soul. A man may be very noble, but if he is not mannerly in his conduct and behaviour, he is liable to misunderstood  because he cannot be agreeable to those with whom he comes in contact. On the other hand a treacherous person may pass for a gentleman and win the love and affection of his behavior and is of amicable and sweet disposition. Such is the magical influence of good manners.

Essay No. 2

Good Manners

Good manners make a full man. They are very essential for human civilization. Without good manners, man is like a purse without money though it is very attractive from outside. They are the outcome of good breeding. A person who has been brought up in a good environment must have good manners. We may  call them the flowers of mankind’s garden. Good manners lend colour and grace to life. they make the machine of life run smoothly. Good manners are even more important than the laws of the state.

Good manners are not born with  us; they have to be learnt. If a child were not taught how to behave respectfully, he would grow up rough and rude like a savage. The only difference between a cultured and uncultured man is that the former is educated and knows good manners, while the latter is illiterate and behaves like a rude man in society.

The standards and ideals of good manners differ in different countries, for different nations have different customs. In India it is considered rube if the guests leave their host until he has given them permission to do so, but in England it is considered rude if a host asks his gussets to go after the entertainment. In England, it is considered a mark  of respect to take one’s hat off in a church or in another person’s house but in India good manners require that one should keep one’s headwear on.

What are good manners? The first principle that underlies good manners is that we should   have and show consideration  for the feelings of others. Good manners are the ornament of a gentleman; and a real gentleman will never try to hurt feelings of others. He will not say things that will hurt others; he will not speak in a rude way  to offend them. He will ever try to make everyone feel at his ease. He will care for the convenience, comfort, and happiness of others more than for this own. He will show proper respect for those who are below him, who are his equals, and who are superior to him. He will never try to be disrespectful to anyone.

One should be sympathetic towards the weak and old. Whenever we see an old person in need of a seat while travelling in a train or a bus, we should at once accommodate him. Besides, when we are cycling and   see an old man hesitating on a crossing, we should not call him an old food. Everyone must fall a prey to old age. Therefore an old person must be given a room in the progressive society. We should speak gently. Even if anyone is harsh to us, we should not use harsh words at all costs. We should give up evil thoughts for all time to come. Harshness is a sign of smallness and shallowness.

It makes  a man unpopular.

We should be humble and polite. Politeness costs nothing it can win us many friends. Sweet words are essential for success in life. we should neither brag nor boast. We should be obedient to our parents and teachers. We should be industrious. We should never remain idle at all. We should be ready to help the needy.  We should show courtesy to everyone. We should talk only as much as is necessary. We should do our duty to mankind and to ourselves. We should pray to god and thus make ourselves pure. We should never tell a lie. We should not harm anybody. 

Good manners also include table manners and general behaviour. We should not leave the table until others have finished. We must take our turn in queue. We must offer our seat if a lady is standing. We must not damage public property. We should not pluck flowers from public parks. We should not tear pages from library books or magazines.

Good manners are also important when we are in the company of our friends or some other people. When we speak to any one, one should speak clearly, distinctly and sufficiently loud for the person to hear. Good manners are really a form of unselfishness. No selfish person can have  good manners. One who always cares to have one’s own way and seeks own comfort, cannot be called a man of good manners. Good manners are also necessary for success and popularity in life. generally man who is polite, gently and courteous is liked by all. As we see ‘ A rude businessman or shopkeeper soon loses his customer’. Thus we see that Good Manners are an Important part of our good conduct and should be followed while moving in modern society.

Essay No. 3

Good Manners

If a man is a bundle of habits, gentleman is a bundle of manners. As in the Middle ages in Europe the highest glory of man was to call himself a Christian, so in the twentieth century the  highest tribute that could be paid to a man is to call him a gentleman.

A man of good manners is an ornament, but a rude man is a plague to society. Manners are the ornament of an action; as there is a way of speaking a kind word or speaking a kind thing, which greatly enhances their value. Good manners have always been the hall-mark of noble souls. Christ washed the feet of his disciples. Lord Krishna washed the feet of his Brahmin Guest. George Washington took his hat off to a Negro who saluted him. A friend of his reprimanded him for showing so much regard to a Negro as to take off his hat to him but he replied that he could not allow a Negro to surpass him in good manners.

Good manners are indispensable to all. They are a better possession than wealth, beauty of talent. Civility of speech and action is the only thing required of man. A French woman went to the length of saying that she could  not tolerate a breach of good manner tough she could never be put out by insults. Thus civility and courtesy are of greatest value to man. A merchant who is not courteous soon loses his customers. A public officer who is uncourteous becomes unpopular soon. If a lawyer wishes to succeed at the bar, he must be courteous to his clients. If a professor likes to be popular he must deal with the students in a courteous manner. If a principal wishes to manage his staff satisfactorily he must not forget to be courteous to them. A salesman requires it most to dispose of his goods. A students requires it if he requires to be respected by his class-fellow; and a master needs it if he wants his servants to work for him and hold him in high esteem.

A man who does not possess good manners cannot become a well bred man. It was very clearly expressed by Dr. Johnson when he said that the difference between a well- bred and ill bred man is that one immediately attracts one’s liking, the  other one’s aversion. “You love the one”, he observes, “ till you find reasons to hate him; you hate the other till you find reasons to love him.” It is true that , “ manners maketh a man and want of it a fellow.”

Good manners lend charm to persons. They enhance the nobility of one’s nature and beauty of one’s soul. A man may be very noble; but if he is not mannerly in his conduct and behaviour he is liable to be misunderstood because we cannot be agreeable to those with whom be comes in contact. On the other hand, a treacherous man passes off for a gentleman and    wins the love and affection of his fellowmen if he is courteous in his behaviour and is of amicable and sweet disposition. Such is the magical influence of good manners.     

Essay No. 04

Good Manners

`Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.’ Clarence Thomas

The stature we enjoy or the respect we command in society depends on the way we interact with others. Good manners, as the ornaments of our behaviour, help us maintain a balance and order in such interactions and keep them healthy. They also ensure longstanding relationships, by making the people concerned happy and contended with one another.

Good manners should be developed very early in life. In childhood, as we are relatively immature, we behave in a carefree manner, without bothering about the consequences of our actions. We are usually frank in our talk and believe in expressing our opinions as they are. Though such frankness is tolerable, or, to an extent, even desirable in childhood, it cannot be encouraged as we mature. Childish behaviour in mature life will cause all-round embarrassment.

Children should practice good manners as part of their education. They should be taught how not to cause inconvenience to others and to conduct themselves gently and gracefully. Modest behaviour and politeness in conversation are other qualities that children should develop. They should also know how to behave suitably in different situations. They should be able to suppress their instincts where necessary, and to be lively and joyful where such behaviour is called for. In short, the knowledge and practice of good manners should exercise a control over behaviour.

Good manners are not a set of rules that have evolved independently; instead, they are closely related to our general character and tendencies. Even though attitudes, abilities and outlook vary from person to person, all of us share certain basic characteristics. Our emotions and sentiments are generally identical. Just as physical injury causes pain to all of us, so failure and disappointment create feelings of bitterness and frustration in everyone. Good manners are meant to free us of such inconveniences, as well as to serve as simple techniques, with which we may live civilized and trouble-free lives.

Though the aim of good manners is the same the world over, their form and practice may vary. Certain behaviour, that may be considered acceptable in some countries, may not be considered so elsewhere. In today’s world, since we have to deal with people from different regions, we should always be careful that our gestures and manners do not offend others. It is advisable in such situations, to deal with people only after acquiring as much knowledge as possible, about their customs and practices.

Just as good manners ensure healthy human relationships, so they enable individual success. A well-mannered person, who will deal satisfactorily with others, has a better chance of success at work than one who is ill-mannered. Professional success in modern times is achieved more through cooperation and coordination, than through individual perseverance alone. Since success in life is determined by how well we live in society, good manners come in handy to ensure successful lives too.

Though good manners are universally accepted, their effects need not always be satisfactory, because they may be used to deceive or mislead people. Many among us skillfully conceal their evil practices by conducting themselves impeccably in public. Modern crooks, as efficient confidence tricksters, play havoc with the judgment of unsuspecting people. Thus, while appreciating good manners, it is essential that we scratch their surface to ascertain that they are not fake.

Good Manners

Manner refers to a person’s behaviour towards others. Good manners imply polite social behaviour. They play an important role in one’s life. Good manners are the means for developing social relations. Good manners help a person in making good friends. They build one’s reputation as one grows up. The social standing of a person is judged by his manners. Polished and polite manners always create a healthy impact on the society.

Learning good manners should be done early in life. Good manners usually come from parents. It is necessary that parents should themselves be good mannered. They-should teach good manners to their children. Some parents go on meeting the demands of their children. They do not care to teach them good manners. Such children grow up as spoilt individuals lacking manners. Later on, the parents repent on their doing. Therefore, it is necessary that parents guide ‘their children at the right time to the right path. Good manners need to be cultivated. Children with good manners are liked by everybody. Ill-mannered children bring disgrace to their family.

Children also learn good manners froth their teachers, elders and good company. All round development of a child is possible only if it is groomed in good manners. Therefore, public schools lay great emphasis on the cultivation of good manners in their students. Children can learn a lot from good schools and good company. Good mannered people are appreciated everywhere. If a persons is dressed well, it does not mean that he must be possessing good manners. A man without manners is like a beast. Therefore, it is essential to have Good manners.

Courtesy and politeness are the key to good manners. Words and phrases like ‘I am sorry’, ‘Please’, ‘Kindly’, ‘Thank You’,  ‘Sir’, `Madam’, ‘I beg your pardon’, etc. should be often used. They create a healthy impact and a sense of respect on the minds of others. If they are spoken at the right moment in a soft and sweet voice, they work wonders. Even if something negative has to be said, it should be said in such a way that it does not hurt the feelings of others. One should also respond positively to a negative situation.

A man should be tolerant about the opinions of others. One should not raise one’s voice in anger or frustration. One should learn to disagree graceully. Good manners demand respect for the feelings and opinions of other persons. One should not be criticised for having a different view on a particular Subject. Discussions on controversial or sensitive issues lead to nowhere. One should avoid getting involved in such type of discussions.

A person should be very considerate to elders, ladies and the handicapped. One should always offer them a seat while travelling. An old lady or a blind man should always be helped to cross the road safely. While riding a vehicle, one should not blow the horn without need. One should not ridicule the blind and the lame or other handicapped people.

If one talks, one should listen too. It is a token of bad manners if one goes on talking and does not listen to others. One should not interrupt the others while speaking. One should avoid using slang language. Litter and garbage should be thrown only in the dust bin. One should not spit where one is sitting or standing. One should also develop good civic sense. You should cover your mouth with a handkerchief while coughing or sneezing.

Good manners enrich the personality of a person. Good manners enhance his value and make him perfect human being.