Q&A for How to Have Good Manners

One of the best ways to teach manners is to model manners. Speak respectfully to your children, and when you want them to do something, ask them politely. Another excellent way to model manners is to have dinner together (every night or at least very regularly), where at least one adult is eating with the kids. Also, you should require proper manners. If your child doesn’t ask you politely for something, don’t give it to them. You can also take them places where they have to use their manners and use that outing as a learning opportunity.

Hold a spoon or fork between your index finger and your thumb, then rest it on your third finger. Also, hold it in the middle—not too high up or down.

You should always display good manners yourself. Always, wherever you are, whatever you do, and whoever you are with. Even if everyone around you displays bad manners, you must still show good manners. Then, stop being around people who always lack good manners.

Say, "Sorry, it was an accident" and push your chair slowly away from the table and kneel down to get it. If you still feel embarrassed or sorry it's okay, it happens. If you want you can ask to clean the utensil for them.

I believe that they do still exist; however, we aren't teaching them as well as we used to. Morals seem to be changing and becoming more lenient, so it may seem that manners have lessened as well.

You should most definitely tell them as it is a sanitation hazard. Just say something like, "Excuse me, this plate/silverware is not clean, would I be able to get another one?"

Fake a smile and force yourself to be polite, even if it doesn't feel genuine. The phrase "fake it till you make it" could definitely apply in this scenario; even if you're faking it, it might start to feel more genuine over time.

Apologize and lower your voice immediately.

Move around and clean the middle first.

Usually a polite, "Please excuse me for a moment" or a "Excuse me, I just need to use the restroom" will do, it depends on who you are with and what setting it is in. You don't need to go into details.

This is extremely difficult and there is certainly no need to shout. In fact, become extremely calm and let the person air their concerns until they realize all you're doing is nodding and making affirmative noises. When they've finished, say "I am so sorry to learn that" or "that's terrible for you" or "I am sorry if I in some way contributed to you feeling this way". At this point, you can either choose to make your excuses and leave or you can continue a conversation if the person is a little mollified and more likely to talk instead of rant.

You should try to, yes. If someone is causing trouble online, kill them with kindness. If you're really upset, stop engaging. Go for a walk and calm down.

Sneezing and coughing are not embarrassing, and you can just apologize or say "Excuse me." Try to avoid farting or picking your nose among other people. If you feel you MUST do one of these things, excuse yourself and go to the restroom to do it.

Do not swear, cuss, or use slang. Try to enunciate your words, instead of slurring them. For example, you'd want to say "going" instead of "gonna." Also, remember to use phrases like "please," "excuse me," and "thank you."

It depends on what you did. If you said something rude or brought up a sensitive topic, simply apologize or change the subject.

When you're in a restaurant or anywhere public food courts, you should pick it up and ask for another one, giving back the dirty one. At home, just pick it up and get another one.

Yes, you have to maintain your manners. Sometime a little bit of fun is okay, but never forget who you are.

Depends on whose idea it is. If you and him/her had planned for this already, the one who planned it originally should call. If you want to meet them for fun, give them a call and invite them!

Yes, it would be polite to greet the people residing in the home. Ignoring them would be considered rude.

Be nice to them even though they are being mean to you.

You tell them anyway, but do so gently. The thing to remember is that you are important, too. Just because they are sensitive doesn't mean you should let them get away with having bad manners towards you. Give them some time to calm down, but bring it up again to make sure they understand how you feel and change their behavior.

The polite thing to do is to let them join the conversation and listen to what they have to say. Make them feel included. When they're finished talking, then finish what you were saying before they interrupted.

Rise above the petty emotions such as anger and resentment. Be the bigger person. Try to listen to others and understand them. You cannot choose your family, but you can choose what type of person you want to be.

No, that makes the people around you think that you're uninterested and trying to get them to hurry up with the meeting so you can leave. If someone asks for the time, then you would look at your watch to tell them the time.

Yes. Kindness is crucial and should be practiced as often as possible. However, there are some situations where kindness isn't warranted.

Generally the person welcoming others to the room is to greet. However, it does no harm if the people in the room greet first. Sometimes you have to drop your ego and just do whatever in your heart you think is right. Anyone can greet first.

Yes, bon appetit, or "enjoy your meal," would indeed be a polite thing to say.

Yes, Princess, you are an example in front of many people. They look up to you, so if you are ill-mannered and have no etiquette you will not be setting a good example.

You should start small with 3+ people and then try to grab the attention of others to include them in the conversation. If someone else is trying to do the same, just wait until you have a good opening, or try to have a previous topic lead into yours.

When you yawn, cover your mouth and afterwards say 'excuse me'.