Who defines what is proper etiquette, good manners?
Do these change over time?
If so, who is the "authority" that decides what proper etiquette is in a given scenario?
What if someone honestly does not agree, based on principle? Should they be considered as rude someone who simply doesn't care?
2007-01-28 02:42:16 · 12 answers · asked by Jay 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Good manners should be defined by the principles that one lives by.
These should include: honesty, fairness, courtesy, consideration, politeness, and generosity, among others.
These principles must be applied regardless of race, religion, gender, or other distinctions.
Cultures differ and a person should consider such - however, it is always best to stick to one's principles as above since some cultures support practices that violate right principles.
Having knowledge of these cultures will help one to know how best to handle such conflicts and still have good manners.
2007-01-29 06:07:46 · answer #1 · answered by Carl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always wondered that myself, I mean, who gave that Post lady the authority to say what is good or bad manners? I don't agree with her on a lot of things, and I don't think I'm a rude person. And yes, what is considered good manners or bad has changed a lot over the years, but I don't know how that is decided.
2007-01-28 03:02:20 · answer #2 · answered by Susan H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being rude just isn't on. Being polite and following etiquette is what defines a civilized society, respect and just plain getting along. Disagreeing is not about etiquette principles. Saying thank you is not about agreeing or disagreeing. You can disagree with people and still be polite.
The rules have changed somewhat to reflect changes in society, but really - being polite and caring about those around you whether you know or them or not marks the difference between a society that is unruly and one that treats each other the way that matters.
Trust me... it matters! take a look at line ups at stores, at movies, how we treat people, saying please and thank you it matters.
This website is far better at articulating this than I can.
2007-01-28 02:55:34 · answer #3 · answered by teritaur 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree! You shouldn't pick ur nose in front of people, but who cares which salad fork I start eating with? Heck, if you get right down to it more than one fork on the setting is overkill to begin with! I don't know who is the authority, unless it's someone who writes a book about what THEY think is manners, and the rest of us buy it, read it, and then believe it. I guess in the end, some folks are crude and ill-mannered or inconsiderate, and some are too easily offended I think!
2007-01-28 02:51:21 · answer #4 · answered by barefoot_always 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The very fact that people disagree on these things is the reason we need these seemingly arbitrary rules. It takes the guesswork out of interacting with people. After you've established a relationship with a particular person, you can work out your own special rules for dealing with each other.
As for using common sense, that only takes you so far. Consider driving. Common sense says you should stay on one side of the road. But it doesn't say WHICH side. So someone makes up a rule and publishes it. Social situations are often like that.
2007-01-28 06:04:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In which sense would you like to define good manners? For me I just use my common sense in every situation and there is no rule or authority who could explain that it is just pure common sense. If you believe that this is right for you, I don't think that I will call that rude but then again it is all depend on the situation. We all have short coming. And no one is perfect.
2007-01-28 03:22:11 · answer #6 · answered by linda c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Manners is very arbitrary. Good manners is defined quite differently from culture to culture.
I would rather take manners advice from a person in their 50's and up than younger. I think at that age you remember points of decency that are missing from today's standards.
2007-01-28 03:08:25 · answer #7 · answered by Clarkie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once heard that manners can be summed up in this...In a social situation a true Lady or Gentleman always behaves in a manner which makes those around her/him most comfortable. I have tried it and it seems to work well.
2007-01-28 04:02:58 · answer #8 · answered by juls 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i think the best thing to do is simply use common sense. If you wouldn't like someone to say or do something to you, chances are you shouldn't do or say it to someone else. In other words, you should just go by the principal of "The Golden Rule". Keep your own personality, just don't do anything to someone else that would offend you if you did it to them.
2007-01-28 02:51:02 · answer #9 · answered by *~HoNeYBeE~* 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good Manners have come down from the beginning of time and because of that they also change.
Somethings however are written in stone....such as saying "please & thank you"....not getting in front of people in line...not talking with food in your mouth...using a napkin.
Those things will never change and some things never should.
2007-01-28 02:54:56 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋