Do you believe in that old adage that 'Manners Maketh Man'?

Question

Or do you think it is all very last year this talk about manners?

I think that sometimes people forget their manners. I often give my husband and icy glare when he forgets to thank the girls on the checkouts. He doesn't mean it he just lives in own world at times.

In this context 'Man' is a generic term meaning both sexes. Man and Woman.

Answer 1

Manners is only the icing on the Cake. It only adds to but does not change the fundamental flavour. My 2p !

Answer 2

Depends on what kind of way you wish to portray yourself to the rest of the world I suppose. Manners are a good thing and it would appear that very few people have them these days. What happened to giving up your seat to an older person on the subway, opening a door for a lady and not placing your elbows on the table while eating? Is it last year to talk about manners?..only in the sense that the majority of people have forgotten what they are and don't make them a part of their lives in general. I wonder how much of this stems from bad parenting in that we are far less likely in todays world to be taught the good manners that all people were taught 20 years ago..etiquette used to be a class taught in school..especially for the ladies..perhaps it should have remained.

I think that part of the problem is the arrogance of people today..they spend far too much time thinking about themselves..and whether they are going to get what they want and need rather than stopping for even a second to consider others.

Answer 3

Not only do manners count, but you have to have manners to get ahead in today's society. You can break every law and violate all ethics, as long as you keep your manners in check while doing it.

Perhaps the failing of our society is that we spend too much time judging people by how they appear rather than how they act. It would make more sense to look at a person's values rather than how great they sound or look. The ironic aspect is that a person living out true moral values will also have great manners, but a person with no values can appear wonderful by exercising good manners.

Take care,
Troy

Answer 4

Yes, most definitely - but I don't mean the manners relating to how one uses one's knife and fork.
'Manners' are all about how one treats other people - showing respect, empathy, kindness even at expense to oneself if necessary.
And of course one should thank bus drivers and checkout girls, and sellers of the Big Issue and the man who holds a door open (even if, no particularly if, you're an ardent feminist) because you will show your respect for their lives and feelings.
No, it's not last year. Having good manners should never go out of date - and in today's society where everyone appears to be out for themselves and whatever they can get, more important than ever!
Thank you for your question.

Answer 5

Manners will never be a thing of the past. Lots of philosophies and traditions are stillused in contemporary society. Socrates, Plato - ancient philosophies that people still question today. Manners is a great form of etiquette when addressing people in a civilised society. Without manners, there would be no civil society and no warm culture among our community.

Long live good mannerisms!

Answer 6

Last year to talk about manners???

It isn't some poncy gay clothes fashion it is a statement about who you are. If you have no manners you are a slovenly pig and will only attract the same in life.......

Anyone who has any real ambition in life has manners. Anyone who has gotten anywhere through hard work has manners.

Take for instance if your daughter brought her new boyfriend home. He barges past you, turns the telly over and nicks your favourite seat. He then says 'ow about a cup of tea.. I'm parched" then lifts up his leg and farts..... Then when he drinks his tea he lets out an almighty belch and laughs.....

That is bad manners and anyone wanting to live like that are not worthy of contempt.... they will get no-where in life and have few real friends.... If my daughter brought home anyone like that I would have quite a few strong words to say about it...

It also brings back the debate about crass spelling mistakes, TXT type talk and 'street slang'. Most descent people steer well clear of people like this.... simply because they portray themselves slovenly ignorant idiots.. they may be bright in reality but it's not the perception....

Manners make an admired respectable man.... no manners makes a slovenly pig...end of...

Hope this helps,
Graham

Answer 7

Manners DO maketh man! And Woman. Bad manners are the ruin of public life.

Answer 8

I think that it's very sad that manners seem to be falling by the wayside. There's nothing worse in my mind than seeing children who haven't been taught manners. It costs nothing to say please and thank you. The main point is that society has become so busy and selfish. Everyone is absorbed in their own problems and materialistic world that they have forgotten to think about others. A lady in her question earlier states that she dislikes people who hold the door open for her. What has the world come to when people would rather have a door slammed in their face?! What message does this give to our children, the future generation? Surely there's enough greed in the world as it is! I say maintain manners!!

Answer 9

Manners Maketh Man not an adage, a myth.

Answer 10

I do!

'Manners maketh the man' is the basis of all civilised behaviour. This concept formed the basis of every great civilisation.

We become the poorer when we lose sight of good manners, of care and consideration for our fellows, of our charity towards those less fortunate than we are and descend to the level of the beast when we exist purely for 'self'.