Mind your manners
Being a kid isn’t easy. Except for babies and toddlers, who get away with everything and still get to be called cute, one wrong step from all the others sees them labelled as rude. Preteens and teens are peculiarly placed in a difficult situation as sometimes they are treated as kids, and at others they are expected to act as adults. Acting on instincts and feelings, even well-meaning ones, is not always acceptable in the adult world as there are social codes and protocols to be followed.
Society does things in a certain way and these ways are the reflection of the religious, cultural and family values of its members. However, there are some universal manners that are considered as good in all cultures and those that are looked upon as wrong behaviour. Knowing good manners is important to live a civilised life, but knowing what is considered bad manners is, perhaps, more important to be a better person.
The way we treat others, react to situations even if they are uncomfortable and how we present ourselves in public, make up our personality and grooming.
bad manners is, perhaps, more important to be a better person.
The way we treat others, react to situations even if they are uncomfortable and how we present ourselves in public, make up our personality and grooming.
So let us learn how to become a better person by knowing proper etiquettes and manners in different situations.
Etiquettes at home
When we are at home and with our loved ones, we tend to be more relaxed and carefree, we don’t behave as courteously as we do when we are outside with others.
But manners are not just to make the right impression, but also to avoid offending or making others uncomfortable with something that we do or miss out on doing. So showing good manners at home will give us the practice to do it when around others. And proper etiquettes will also make our parents happy and they will trust us to do the right thing at other times too.
Greetings: When you get up in the morning, wish your family members “Assalaamu ‘Alaikum” and “Good morning” and also greet them when you return home, even if you had just been playing outside.
Be responsible: Do your share of work at home, such as keeping your room neat, cleaning up after you make a mess, helping mum set the table and clean up later, washing the dishes and folding the laundry.
These things or chores are not gender specific and both boys and girls should be doing it. And being responsible at home will teach you to take up and fulfil your responsibilities in school and later on in your career.
Get along with family: Whether you live with just your parents and siblings or in a joint family, you may not get along well with everyone all the time. Accept everyone’s different personalities and act accordingly, this will show you how to get along with others in life.
Do as you’re told: Parents know better so if they are asking you to do something or not to do a certain thing, then just obey them without arguing or asking for reasons. If they want to explain to you why they are saying what they are saying, they will tell you themselves.
Do not interrupt: When someone is talking, let them finish first. And don’t interrupt grown-ups who are speaking with each other, you can say “Excuse me” to get their attention.
Knock on closed doors: If the door to a room is closed, knock on it and wait for the response and act accordingly.
Don’t pick your nose in public: Clean it with a tissue or handkerchief, or go to the washroom, clean it properly and wash your hands afterwards.
When you cough, sneeze or yawn, cover your mouth. Say “Alhamdulillah” or “Excuse me” when you sneeze.
Excuse me: If you bump into someone, sneeze, burp or make any loud noise, the polite thing is to say “Excuse me”.
Open doors for others: And when you pass through a door, keep the door open for the person entering next if they are close behind you. And don’t close doors loudly with a bang, it’s very rude.
Use the magic words: When you ask someone for something, say “Please” even if the person is younger than you.
When you receive something, say ‘Thank you’ and the person’s name. And when you have hurt someone in anyway, say “I’m sorry” and the sooner it is said the more effective it will be.
Praise: It is your mum’s job to cook yummy food for you, but if you also complement her for this job that she is doing for free, it will make her day. And she will soon return the complement by making something more special for you!
Be a good neighbour: Always greet neighbours, don’t litter outside their house, don’t play so loudly that they get disturbed or their property gets damaged.