I’ve been laughed at for one of the most peculiar things. My politeness. I’m the sort of person who will ask before using your restroom, ask if it’s okay to have the last slice of pizza, and thank you for cooking me dinner even if you’re my own mother. I believe in having manners, and showing others courtesy and respect. To me, being polite is very important, both in your personal and professional life.
I was recently contacted by an international recording artist, named Marcie Joy. She is a singer/songwriter who has the support of artists like David Guetta and Tiesto. She had really kind words to say about my website.
As I am a great supporter of kids music, I wanted to share her first kids single called ‘Fetch’. It is available for FREE download here: http://www.noisetrade.com/kidsmusicbymarcie.
The communication I had with Marcie struck a cord. Although she was persuasive, she was never forceful about her intentions and that really hit home for me.
As a mother of 3, I take my responsibility as a role model very seriously. I always try to practice what I preach. Being polite to others has and always will be very important to me.
I want my children to understand that you don’t need to be forceful to get what you want in life. Sometimes common courtesy does go a long way. When you are polite to people and speak with respectable manners, you are treating others with respect. Why would someone want to help you with something, if they felt disrespected?
Marcie was able to get her message across, without making me feel pressured. That is how you should be approaching people, in the personal and professional world.
When you are polite to other people, you are making them feel respected. When they feel respected, they feel valued as a person. When someone feels valued, they will know that you don’t just care about your own needs but their needs as well.
So next time you ask someone for a favour or have a favour done for you; be polite, use your manners. As The Golden Rule states: “treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Thuy Wood (formerly known as Thuy Yau) is a freelance writer, resume/cover letter writer and Youth Worker living in Perth, Australia. She loves to share her own personal experiences about overcoming adversity, as she believes that human beings are more capable than they realise. She writes to make a positive difference in the world and to inspire others to learn from themselves and their own experiences. Her writing has been discussed on radio, won writing contests, appeared on The Huffington Post UK and major Australian sites such as news.com.au, SMH, Kidspot and Essential Kids. She has just completed her first book – a memoir - and is on the search for a publisher.
Well said Thuy. I think manners can make a person.
Yes, so true. Manners are a big reflection of who you are as a person; how you value yourself and those around you. Manners can go a long way.
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Sadly manners seem to be a dying art in our society. I am shocked at some of the poor attitudes and manners I see in my kids friends. No please or thankyou, demanding food or money for the shop, whining if they don’t get the largest serve of cake. I teach and expect good manners from my children when they are small and I think it is important to also teach them as they get older about more refined manners. I was taught you don’t ask to go to someone else’s home. You invite them to yours, or wait to be invited. You don’t take the last piece of anything without offering it. Talking on the mobile while being served in a store is just plain rude… Little things, but it all adds up
Hi Lisa,
I totally agree with you there – manners are dying. And it is a sad thing.
It is our responsibility as parents to teach our children the value of manners and respect.
Children really are the future and it’s a future that can start improving right now.
Thanks for your insightful comments,
Thuy 🙂
I agree!! My mom taught me good manners and I am passing them on to my 13 year old. I am in sales and one of my favorite phrases is ” I appreciate that” I also make sure there are plenty of “thank you”s , “please”s and “thank you again”s. Good manners tell people you appreciate and respect them and that they are valuable to you. Politeness is something that is easy to give away but can make a big difference is someone’s life. Great post! Thank you and I appreciate you! : )
Thank you so much, Rick!
That is wonderful that you teach your child about having manners. That is where a child’s learning begins.
Keep it up!
you inspired me to be respectful in my everyday life from this one article you published thank you thuy yau.
Hi Angeline,
I am so glad that my article was able to inspire you in such a way. It is so important to show one another respect – it’s the small things that matter. Thank you so much for reading and for your support! 🙂