Manners are not something that people come out of the womb knowing. They can be taught either through parental and adult instruction or by role modeling. Things that were considered common courtesy just a decade ago have been completely eliminated as niceties to the next generation. These are manners that most kids won’t even know about in the future.
Sending Thank You Cards
In previous generations, people were appreciative of other people and didn’t hesitate to say thank you. Thank you cards were commonplace and if someone did something nice, they were handwritten and sent in the mail. Nowadays, most children don’t even text thank you, little less sit down and write it out.
Saying Excuse Me
There was a time, not so long ago, when if you bumped into someone, you would immediately say “Sorry.” It didn’t have to be your fault, if you bushed up against someone, both parties would turn to one another and say a quick “excuse me.” Today, people will run each other over to get where they want to be and don’t think twice about saying “excuse me” or “sorry.”
God Bless You
Although it is a blessing and not as politically correct to say broad base anymore, there was a time when if someone sneezed, everyone within earshot would say “God bless you” or the German version of “Gott schütze dich.” Manners are about being kind and loving toward and respectful of other people.
Holding the Door Open
It wasn’t just chivalrous for men to open the door for women, it used to be polite to open the door for people. Nowadays, people will let the door hit you in the nose without giving it a thought. It is so simple to just hold a door for someone to go through, and yet so hard to find anyone who will still do it.
Table Manners
Not many families still have the time or the luxury to sit at the table to share a meal together. Once more, not many children know anything about proper table manners and what you should and shouldn’t do. In previous generations, there was a set way that you put the silverware out, napkins belonged in your lap, and elbows were off of the table. It is a lost art in today’s society.
Showing Respect for Your Elders
In previous generations and other cultures, people respect their elders. Older people have given a lot to society and built the wealth that many of us enjoy. Instead of respecting older people as we did just a few generations ago, many children ignore old people and do little to acknowledge or address them.
Asking Permission
If a child wanted to do something, they would have to ask for permission from their parents. There was a sentiment that if there was something in the house, it belonged to the people who owned the house, the adults. Kids today assume that everything is there's and usually don’t think very much about whether they should borrow something or if they have free reign to go ahead and use anything they please.
Eye Contact
Our society, as a whole, has broken down many lines of communication and the way that we respect other people. It used to be impolite to talk to someone without looking them in the eye. Many children will not stop to look adults in the eye and make very little eye contact. It has only gotten worse since the pandemic. People are slowly losing the niceties that come with being polite when communicating with others.
Offering Assistance
If you saw someone struggling in previous generations, and you had the means to help, you offered. People would stop what they were doing to help someone with a flat tire, opening the door to their car, or moving heavy objects. Now people will walk right past someone in need and not think twice about it.
Interrupting
There was a time when a child knew better than to interrupt a parent or adult who was talking or in the middle of something. Children used to say “excuse me,” before speaking and ask for permission to continue. Kids now have no problem over-talking their parents, busting into a conversation, and being generally rude in their need for instant attention.
Handshakes
Business dealings were once done with confidence with a handshake because a handshake was how you showed your integrity. People barely shake hands anymore, and if they do, they do more of a hand brush. Whether it is an interview or you are meeting someone for the first time, it used to be commonplace to give a firm shake.
Introducing People
People have lost the art of introducing themselves and others to others. In previous times, when you didn’t know someone, you would immediately introduce yourself. Now, people think very little about making an introduction. Once more, it used to be rude if you were with someone and you didn’t introduce them. Kids now will not think twice about making people feel uncomfortable by not exchanging the niceties of names.
RSVPing
In the past, people would add an RSVP along with a date to respond. Those holding the party need to know how many to plan for. Nowadays, many people don’t feel the need to RSVP, even though it is so easy to do. It is incredibly rude not to give someone the heads up about whether you can make it or not, but many party hosts just have to wing the accommodations and hope for the best.
Dressing for the Occasion
In previous generations, there was a dress code for most things that everyone adhered to. If you were going to Sunday mass, you dressed up. If you were going to a wedding, you would put on a gown and suit. There are no rules about what is appropriate anymore, dress-wise. People tend to show up in whatever they feel like regardless of the occasion.
Taking Your Hat Off
It used to be bad manners to wear your hat indoors. Gentlemen knew that they were supposed to remove their caps at any event or gathering. Kids nowadays wear baseball caps and skull caps without removing them no matter what the event is. Where once it was a sign of respect, now no one thinks twice about it.
Giving Your Seat Away
When you were on public transportation, it was generally an unwritten rule that you gave your seat to someone who needed it. Children would get up quickly to relinquish their seats for pregnant women and the elderly. Now, children will practically push you over and slide right into your spot without a care in the world.
Putting Your Phone Down
Cell phone etiquette is becoming less and less important to young people. It used to be etiquette to put your phone away when someone was trying to talk with you. That is not the case with kids anymore. Most parents have to ask them directly to put their phones away. Because phones have become a babysitting tool, many parents don’t want to distract their children by making them put their phones down.
The Breakdown of Manners
As technology makes communication easier and things move faster, many of the niceties that we used to hold dear, are no longer being passed down from generation to generation. Manners are something that makes the world a kinder place, so when you show them, it makes everyone happier. It would be a shame if manners disappeared altogether.
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