Guidelines for Good Manners

Treat everyone with respect: Don't reserve good manners only for people you're trying to impress. Show good manners to anyone and everyone. Mix honesty with tact: Honesty is the best policy, but never use honesty as an excuse to be hurtful. Show consideration: Make it a point to do the little things: say "please" and "thank you," respond promptly to invitations, and be on time. Use your words and actions to show people you value them. Be flexible: Not everyone grew up with the same rituals, customs, and rules that you did. Be sensitive to local laws, and lapses, of etiquette. Never humiliate: Never make anyone look bad in public. That includes mocking someone, commenting on someone's clothes or appearance, or publicly pointing out someone's bad behavior or lack of etiquette. These rules shouldn't restrain you entirely from alerting someone to an embarrassing gaffe or from correcting someone's bad behavior. But offer this type of advice in private, where you won't cause embarrassment.    ************