Happy Manners Day!
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Just because I do not always have them, I do love good manners. I think a little social order is a good thing. In San Francisco, where I've never met more men who will NOT open the door for a woman–even when on a date–could use a little manner review. And of course, I am sure it comes as no surprise most people's traffic manners are abysmal.
Well, lets start with some kiddie manners. At Beverly Hills Manners there is a great survey to take. Here is a sample question.
We live in a time where bad manners are running rampant. People are offending others without care. Here's an opportunity to select your biggest manners pet peeve:
People who show up late without apologizing
People who fiddle with their cell phones and Blackberry's during dinner
People who insist on using foul language
People who talk with their mouth full
People who do not respond to emails
People who cut in line
I chose "People who cut in line" which are yours?
Lady D,
Thank you for this blog! I'm a single girl with no kids, no plans for kids and loads of 30/40-sumthin' friends with kids….friends who don't always have enough time or energy to break things down for their still single gal pal.
Mainly, your deft parsing of topics is extremely helpful for the non-mom who wants to be able to relate to those with the rugrats.
And this topic on manners…fantastic! I have friends whose kids manners made me cry tears of joy, they were so sweet and considerate. And then there's the flipside of, "Seriously? What kind of mouth-breather are you raising?"
Then again, I know plenty of adults (including myself) who could use a bit of a primer.
Keep on truckin'! And thanks!
Rebecca, Chicago
I love kiddos with good manners! It comes fairly natch to some kids - not EVERYTHING - but a lot. My stepson (my only child) has greeted me each day I pick him up after school or summer camp with "How was your day?" since he was in Kindergarten. WE didn't teach him that - and the cutest thing is that he's genuinely interested! He just gets sweeter and sweeter (he'll be 10 in just a few days!!) - uh, I'm crossing my fingers that this lasts and he'll be just as sweet as a teen. (Hey, it's possible! I have a brother who never got weird as a teen!)
As for the classes for kiddo manners - isn't that the job of the parents? Not to sound critical, but it sounds like something, in my opinion, that really wealthy people who are trying to pawn their kids off for a few hours would send their children to (with the nanny). Meh!
Daphne - I LOVE your site, esp. vids BTW. SO grateful and excited to see stuff about stepmamas. We are so often over looked. I'm hooked!
angela in CA
Rebecca– very funny, I'm honored a non mom would stop by. Mouth breathers. good one!
Angela, good for your stepson. my daughter is like that. natural conversationalist. I think when people have good manner Im more likely to give them a job. Assuming I had such power.
Fight on step mom! it's unsung.