Comments on: Q&A Tuesday: Should We Still Mind Our Manners?

By: Nick Cernis

Nick Cernis — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:08:08 +0000

Heartfelt thanks to all for sharing your thoughts so politely on the delicate matter of etiquette, and for coming to a loose consensus that mirrors mine: that good manners are as important as ever, but that our lives are too busy to worry about the intricacies of fork juggling or which socks are acceptable on a Tuesday before 11am (hint: never the ones that play Amazing Grace when you click your heels together). Good news also that many of you care about imparting the same light-hearted sense of kindliness to your kids; the evidence here in the UK, I'm afraid, is that such an upbringing takes a back seat, a fact for which the blame lies almost entirely on Sky TV and the phrase "go and play outside in the traffic, children". @ShoppingQueen: A HobNob is a devilishly more-ish type of biscuit consisting of oats, far too much butter, and (if you're bad) lashings of melted chocolate. It's disappearance here in the UK would probably prevent me from ever getting out of bed*, and would undoubtedly result in the decline of civilisation as we know it**. * This doesn't sound so bad, now I think of it. ** Which probably wouldn't take long: there's not much left. Nick Cernis´s last blog post...Walking on the roadside: charming or trying?

By: simplemom

simplemom — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:17:31 +0000

You’ll have to let Nick answer that one… he’s British, so that might have something to do with it.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 05:01:15 +0000

My vote is a resounding yes. Good manners are modeled from care givers and learned in the home. Of course, it can be exhausting to remind our children (10, 8, 3) to chew with their mouth closed, participate in grace, sit up staright at the table, keep elbows off of the table, politely ask to have something passed to them or in the most basic sense, how to properly set a table for dinner (guests or no quests). A well mannered person stands head and shoulders above an ill mannered person, in pursuit of life and profession. I had a bit of mommy bliss at Thanksgiving this year when my 10 and 8 year olds were seated at the college kids table. From the grown up table, I could see my bambinos practicing good manners and engaging others in conversation. I love the small moments, when all the work pays off. Kimberly´s last blog post...Nigella- and I don’t mean Lawson

By: Lauren fromNorthwest Cheapsleeps

Lauren fromNorthwest Cheapsleeps — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:52:49 +0000

I think there is a difference between teaching a kid to say 'please' and 'thank you,' and teaching them to respect other people's time and efforts, and to be a thoughtful, generous citizen. The latter are far more important in my book. Lauren fromNorthwest Cheapsleeps´s last blog post...“Great Weekends”… All 52 of Them

By: Alana @ Gray Matters

Alana @ Gray Matters — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:32:00 +0000

From an early age, our kids have heard us talk about "The Golden Rule". But with almost everything our children learn the most from our actions. The other day at the grocery store I said "thank you" to the cashier. My 2 1/2 year old daughter said, "mommy thank you for remembering your manners." Alana @ Gray Matters´s last blog post...Sewing Project #1: Crayon Roll

By: LaToya

LaToya — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:02:27 +0000

I think that manners are vital to existence. I teach my children to be polite. As for gifts I try to either say thank you in person or send thank you cards. Close family like the grandparents or my brother get a face-to-face or phone call and I try to send others cards.

I wasn’t raised to send thank you cards though so it’s something new to me as well.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:55:56 +0000

Absolutely! I believe that good manners and etiquette become even more important as we become busier and communicate more virtually. There seems to be a temptation to be less polite as we communicate virtually, that the lack of face-to-face communication somehow makes being rude all right. I think that's wrong and brushing up on one's etiquette, saying please, thank you or just a simple "hello" in real life or at the beginning of an IM or email could do wonders to make the world a better place. Michelle´s last blog post...Menu Monday — 01/05/08

By: Shopping Queen

Shopping Queen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:20:14 +0000

With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, I believe manners are even more important. They are what make us human and help connect us to each other. Electronic thank you's are everywhere. Thanks for buying a new book at Amazon.com, thanks for paying your bills, etc. It's the personal thank yous that really mean something. My 3 year old and I do thank you notes for all her birthday and Christmas gifts. I write on the front and I help her "write" and draw on the back of each card. It becomes a fun activity we do together and it teaches her gratitude. With the amount of time people spend watching TV, there really is no excuse for not having enough time. It's just a matter of not enough effort. P.S. What is a Hobnob? Shopping Queen´s last blog post...Second Hand Clothes More Dangerous Than Second Hand Smoke?

By: julie

julie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:15:38 +0000

It occurred to me quite some time ago that good manners are simply a form of kindness. And who doesn't want to spread a little more of that? As for a handwritten note . . . there's just nothing that compares. julie´s last blog post...color your world

By: Angel

Angel — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:24:57 +0000

I think it is important…I can’t tell you how many times I have spent days hand-making a gift, or put special thought into it to not receive a thank you. I am not a stickler for a time frame–we are all busy–but it hurts if someone doesn’t recognize the time and effort that you put into the gift.

Lately my biggest concern has been buying gifts for various young relatives only to have it flung aside with no comment at all, not even a verbal thank you! Or the wonderful “uhhh, clothes…” I work at my 4 year old who has progressed pretty well…as much as there is an art of giving, there is a way to receive too. Has anyone else experienced this?

Angel´s last blog post…Easy Baking