These days aggression seems to have become a synonym for strength. Politeness and decent behaviour are somehow seen as a weakness. People seem to forget that simple good manners cost nothing and make everything a bit more pleasant. We have all come across that badly behaved kid with a sense of entitlement, and parents who laughingly excuse it all away as childish mischief or high spirits. If those same parents had taught that kid some basic good manners, everyone would have been happier:
Teach the child to say please and thanks to everyone --- not just elders, teachers and family members, but also the domestic helper at home, the waiter in a restaurant and those in subordinate positions. Saying these words doesn’t lower status, it enhances it.
Explain to the child that it is rude to interrupt and demand attention while others are talking; unless it’s an emergency. A child who feels that an adult must leave everything for their every whim develops a sense of entitlement.
A child may do it in all innocence but it could all become rather awkward --- so teach that kid not to comment on people’s personal appearance or flaws or disabilities. If you think that your child may blurt something out, warn them beforehand. If your kid is rude to others it is up to you to correct that behaviour.
Teach the child to say hello, or good morning or whatever when they meet people; and to reply when greeted by others.
Teach a kid how to share. Explain that if they share with others, others will share with them. This is an important part of learning how to socialise.
It is not OK for a child to go to someone’s house or out to a meal and simply get stuck into some gadget. The child must develop the social adeptness to get to know new people, have a conversation. Kids should be able to survive without gadgets.
Making eye contact makes one appear trustworthy and means that you're giving the other person your attention. Not making eye contact makes one appear sullen and shifty.
Yes we all clean our noses and pass wind, but not in public. Teach the child that this behaviour has to be private; that is not polite to do when around people (then maybe they will hesitate to scratch himself in full public view as an adult too). And if there is an inadvertent emission, that’s OK, just say Excuse Me! It’s not difficult; kids pick up these simple good manners quite easily. Now only if adults would do the same.
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