Did your parents ever remind you to mind your manners when you were going out in public, especially if you were going with other people? Today, manners and etiquette seem to have vanished. Theboomerinsight.com website offers several manners that need revived in our society:1
Handwritten thank you notes. This was once expected, and it was not to be delayed. You were to use your best penmanship and write something thoughtful. This past year, I received two of the most thoughtful thank you notes from students I had on my bus who had graduated. Their words were very special to me.
Holding doors open for others, especially ladies and the elderly. Yes, that means you might be delayed a few seconds but you’ll be okay.
Standing when being introduced.
Saying please and thank you. We could also add saying excuse me when trying to get through a crowded area or the accidental bodily eruption.
Dressing appropriately for the occasion. If I make too many comments here, I’m sure to offend someone. But seriously, we have become a slovenly slobbish society. We don’t know how to dress for church, weddings, or funerals.
Listening without interruption. Does this drive anyone else out of their tree?!? This also includes those who decide to finish your sentence or thought for you. That is just rude!
Chewing with your mouth closed. How often have you just wanted to say one word: moooooo!
Punctuality. There are going to be times when something unforeseen happens that might delay you. However, there are those who couldn’t be on time for their own funerals. They say that they are
“fashionably late.” There’s no such thing. It is discourteous to keep others waiting or to consistently walk in late.
Addressing people by their title. I would never call my doctor by her first name. Titles are important and have been earned. The individual deserves the respect unless they’ve requested it not be used.
Are manners really that important? Are they even addressed in the Bible? The Scripture that comes closest to directly addressing this is found in 1 Corinthians 15:33. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” “Manners” are simply good customary habits. And it doesn’t take much to ruin those.
As a Christian, my standard of conduct is dictated by 1 Corinthians 10:31. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Got Questions Ministries has valid insight concerning our manners in regard to this verse. “When our goal is to honor the Lord in every way, we remain aware that we represent Him everywhere we go. Whether sitting in a church service, shopping at the mall, or working at our jobs, we can do so for the glory of God. When we carry the reputation of Jesus with us, our behavior affects the way others see Him. For one of God’s servants to be perceived as rude and uncivilized would be dishonoring to the Lord. Good etiquette is one way we can remove social barriers and create a connection with people who need to hear the gospel.”2
Good manners are conscientious of those around us. The demonstration of God’s grace to others could be as simple as showing basic social graces. Rude behavior, though, is always unbecoming of the child of God and will certainly hinder our effectiveness in sharing the Gospel.
Take to heart the words Paul wrote to the church of Corinth and be ready to apply them today. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. (20) And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; (21) To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. (22) To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (23) And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
1https://theboomerinsight.com/18-old-school-etiquette-rules-deserving-of-a-contemporary-comeback/
2https://www.gotquestions.org/etiquette-manners.html
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