Sometimes, children don’t realize it’s impolite to interrupt, pick their nose, or loudly observe that the lady in front of them has a large behind. And in the hustle and bustle of daily life, busy moms and dads don’t always have the time to focus on proper manners. But if you reinforce some simple manners, you’ll raise a polite, kind, well-liked child.
The importance of properly greeting people
My cousin’s child is in junior high school but never bothers to greet people. When his son was at summer camp, his mother told me: “The summer camp counselor is not close to my child.” I asked her: “Maybe it’s because your child did not know how to approach the counselor?” She pondered this and understood. When we met again, her son greeted me pleasantly and talked sweetly.
Chinese people don’t often tell you that your child is rude. I was not well-mannered as a child, but my mother changed my bad habits. She taught me to smile and greet everyone I met, especially elders.
Good manners are the key
During a gathering, one of my friends told me: “This child of mine has never acknowledged people, but his academic performance is good, so I don’t bother to control him.” This benevolent father did not understand that manners do not necessarily come with intelligence.
In reality, good manners are a vital attribute. The world will close its door to those with no manners. It is difficult to enter a conference room without proper manners, even with proper qualifications and skills.
Without manners, you will encounter obstacles
I have a female student in my English language class. We lived in the same building, and I often met her in the elevator, but she never took the initiative to greet me.
Once, after the final exam, I met her family outside the exam hall. Her mother asked about her daughter’s score. As usual, the girl did not acknowledge me when we met. I thought it was important for the child to at least greet her teacher. She would struggle without proper manners even if she received a top score.
I have a friend who is a music teacher. She told me about the day she was not accepted for an internship at a private school in Zhuhai. Her piano and singing skills were the best among the applicants, but she was not selected. She felt it was unfair until someone told her: “The school did not accept you, not because you were not talented, but because you have no manners.”
Afterward, she established a kindergarten group in Zhuhai. She scoffed at herself when she thought of the incident: “I was young at that time and frivolous; I never acknowledged others, walked with airs, did my things, thinking that with my talent, I didn’t need to bother with others. Now, I understand that if you ignore the world, the world will ignore you.”
Good manners are a form of upbringing until they become a habit. Learning good manners will help your child act toward others with respect and consider their feelings. Your child will also gain confidence from knowing the proper thing to do.
Translated by Chua, B.C. and edited by Aizhu Lu
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
