You know, I'm so grateful for this thread. For several years now, I've been lamenting the lack of courtesy and manners that's so absent in most of society nowadays, so it's nice to be able to speak with others who feel the same way, and to know ettiquette is still alive with some. This is my 'feel-good' thread at FoRT now, for that reason.
When I was a young girl in school, in the south, ettiquette was taught in school as part of my English class. It was in junior high school, so was around 7th or 8th grade. For one day a week in that class, we'd concentrate on social ettiquette, which included how to write a proper invitation, how to write a proper thank you note, and when to do it. It also included how to be a courteous party host (taking needs of invited guests into account, and when to allow "and a guest" and how to get invitees to follow your wishes as stated on the invites), and how to be a courteous party/event guest (following the protocols set out in an invitation, the issue of "bringing a guest", proper gifting protocols, etc.). All the students in the class learned these things, the guys and the girls. Because all students in the English classes had to learn these things, the guys didn't make a big deal out of it, it was another part of the lessons they needed to pass in order to get a good grade in English that semester.
I enjoyed that class, and I wish social etiquette was taught in some form in school today, as well, even if only for a semester as part of an English class. But I fear that today's kids are becoming too narcissistic and/or selfish to learn the lessons of etiquette, since it involves doing something for someone other than themselves. And tv commercials and shows seem to encourage that theme of selfishness and entitlement, as do merchants. I wish today's youth could understand the feeling of pride and self-satisfaction you get from proper manners and etiquette. And as someone else above mentioned, how stronger an impression they make when you send a 'thank you note' to someone you've just interviewed for a job with. And how lovely an event is when both the host and the guests follow the plan and a thank you note is sent when it's over.
Etiquette and good manners will never be out of style, and I sure hope it will never be out of use, as well.
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It is wise to apply the oil of refined politeness to the mechanisms of friendship. --
Colette, The Pure and the Impure, 1932
One of the greatest victories you can gain over someone is to beat him at politeness.
-- Josh Billings, US Humorist (1818 - 1885)
Politeness and consideration for others is like investing pennies and getting dollars back.
-- Thomas Sowell, Creators Syndicate
Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.
-- Clarence Thomas, US administrator & lawyer (1948 - )
Associate with well-mannered persons and your manners will improve. Run around with decent folk and your own decent instincts will be strengthened.
-- Stanley Walker
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Originally Posted by doxie;2818171;
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