Why good manners are so important

CEBU, Philippines - If people had no manners, society would be a mess with free-for-all behaviors. For sure rude people dominate over those who are peaceful and respectful to others. People would just blurt out whatever they had on their minds, regardless of harsh or ruthless it is.

Without manners, there’d be fights everywhere. Authorities tasked with maintaining law and order would have their hands so full with problems and they’d have no time to do their jobs well. There’d misunderstanding at home, too, as family members are likely to hurt one another with their brash behaviors.

At restaurants or at the dining table at home, many people would lose their appetite watching others speak with their mouths full of food. True friendships are difficult to develop as people get to insult one another with their lack of manners in their day-to-day interactions. It would be almost impossible to experience the good side of life in the midst of people that embody ugliness with their rude words and actions.

That’s the reason why children are taught good manners by their parents starting at a very young age. The first lessons may be simply saying “Please” and “Thank you.” The kids are encouraged to share their toys and not be selfish with other children. Jocelyn Mangubat

Then as the children get older, they learn more manners by themselves, either at school or with their friends. They learn basic social graces too – like the proper way of introducing someone – and how to make a good impression in others. Their being well-mannered is a good foundation to learning the higher concept of values, a higher knowledge of right and wrong.

The constant reminding of etiquette rules by Mom may have seemed redundant during childhood. But once the children grow up and become adults, they come to understand its importance. A person with no manners is avoided by others; thus, he or she has only very few friends and does not have much of a social life.

Good manners are also important in one’s professional life. Among job applicants, for example, it’s people who are well-mannered and speak well that companies want to hire. There are certain expectations of how a professional person is supposed to act. People who fit the description are perceived to be more knowledgeable; those who don’t are often laughed at and even ignored.

Having good manners is essential in all aspects of life. It earns the respect of others. It get one a good job. But, most of all, it can draw people to him; and so he makes a lot of friends.

With many friends, life can be much easier for the person, since there are many to help him and speak well of him. Good word of mouth about a person can open up opportunities for him.