Good manners play a very important role in the life of boys and girls. Though good manners are a very valuable possession for developing social relations, yet they cost nothing. They help a person to win friends. The social standing of a man is judged by the manners he possesses. Polished and polite manners create a healthy impact.
Good manners go a long way in making a person cultured and civilised. A man without good manners remains a savage. Normally good manners are inherited from parents. But these can also be learnt from others. It is, therefore, essential that all children are taught good manners from the childhood itself. Ill-mannered children bring disgrace to their worthy parents.
Children with good manners are liked by one and all. They are appreciated even by strangers. All round development of a child is possible only if a child is groomed in good manners. Therefore, the public schools lay great emphasis on the cultivation of good manners in their students. It is no exaggeration to say that a man without manners is an animal.
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If a person is well-dressed it does not mean that he must be possessing good manners as well. We find that more often than not, even good-looking children lack good manners. The moment such children speak, they expose themselves. It is a matter of regret that some parents go on meeting the demands of their children but do not care to teach them good manners. These parents spoil them but when such children bring a bad name to them, they repent. But by then, it is too late. Therefore, if we want that our children should possess good manners and behave well, we must catch them young.
Courtesy and politeness is the key to good manners. Biographies of great men can also help us in learning good manners. The use of polite words like “Sorry”, “Please”, “Thank you”, “Beg your pardon”, “Sir” etc. creates a healthy impact on the minds of others. No doubt these are little words but if they are spoken at the right moment and in a soft and sweet voice, they are bound to work wonders. Even if we have to say “No” to someone, we should say so in a polite manner so that his feelings are not hurt.
Good manners not only demand courtesy and politeness but also respect for the feelings and opinions of other people. We should not criticise others for holding views different from us. We should avoid acrimonious discussions at social gatherings. They help no one. We should also steer clear of heated discussions on controversial and sensitive political issues to avoid bad bloodp with others. We should not ridicule a blind or a lame person. It shows bail manners.
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We should be considerate to elders, ladies, children and sick persons while travelling in a bus or train, we should always offer them a seat. It is a pity that in buses, we sometimes find men occupying even the seats reserved foi ladies. We should help an old lady or a blind person to cross the road safely. We should not talk loudly or shout at others.
While riding in a car or a scooter, we should not blow the horn unnecessarily especially near a hospital, school or a library/we should not pluck a flower from any public garden. Flowers are meant to please our eyes and not to be plucked. If we go on talking to others but do not listen to what they have to say, it is a sign of bad manners. While I coughing or sneezing we should always cover our mouth with a handkerchief. We should not throw away banana skins on the roads. Someone might slip and sustain an injury. Similarly, the habit of writing obscene things on the walls or on books smacks of bad manners.
We should regard a foreigner as our most honoured guest. Whenever he needs our assistance, we should extend it to him. We should not jeer at him. Certain unscrupulous elements try to cheat foreigners of their money and belongings. This spoils the image of our country and its people in the eyes of the world.
While waiting for a bus, we should always stand in a queue. We should not try to break the queue even when we are in a hurry. All public property belongs to the nation. We should not damage it under any circumstances. These days, political parties have made the act of damaging public property like buses, trains, bridges, etc. a political weapon to press their demands or to air their grievances. This tendency needs to be curbed. We must treat public property as our own.
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All great men are humble. They do not brag about their achievements. We should be happy over the achievements of others and not be jealous. If we know these people, we should congratulate them on their achievements. Criticising a person behind his back is not good manners.
A well-mannered person is always the centre of attraction. He is loved and respected by all. Good manners bring joy and success in his life. He becomes a gem among his fellow men. We should acquire good manners and enrich our personality.