In the past few days the subject of manners has come up several times. Just this morning I came across TinSoldier's blog about using the term Sir or Ma'am. I also had a talk with my daughter this weekend about manners regarding thank you notes. She received money from several family and friends for her birthday.
I made a point of bringing home the thank you cards I keep at my desk so that she could write thank you notes for her birthday gifts. I was a little surprised that she gave me some resistance on the matter. She even suggested that an email would be just as appropriate. In the end I insisted that at least some notes be written, to those people who she was not as familiar with.
I cling to a certain number of what I consider good manners, while others seem to fade away. I do greet my coworkers with "Good Morning" in the morning (despite the lack of "good" some days), say thank you when someone opens a door or pays me a compliment, address elders and those in authority with sir and ma'am (deserving of not) and write hand written thank you notes when I receive a gift.
I'm less concerned with keeping my elbows off the table or cleaning my plate, I'm fine with opening my own doors if I happen to get there first and I don't believe children should be seen and not heard.
My basic belief is that manners are an indication of how well you were brought up. Because I believe this I also try to pass along the manners I see as being helpful and neccesary for my children to succeed.
What manners to you still practice?
