There are seven characteristics that a learned person possesses. Parents who are truly sincere and genuine about their parenting responsibilities will nurture and educate their children to ensure they become well-rounded people with positive and endearing qualities. Parental upbringing certainly has some bearing on a child’s future character.
A proper upbringing develops a person of good character. This will be clearly shown via the person’s choice of words and deeds, good communication skills, and an inherent tolerance and kindness shown towards others. How one handles minor daily details will reflect their true character.
7 characteristics distinguish a learned person
1. The way a person opens or closes the door
A person who has been taught limited social etiquette will go about things in a somewhat self-serving manner. A simple analogy of opening and closing a door by such a person will be done by slamming and showing little respect for how this may disturb or affect those around them. In contrast, a learned person would take into consideration people around them and respectfully open and close the door, being gentle so as to avoid disturbing anyone.
2. Dining etiquette
Chinese etiquette begins at the dining table. When having a meal with others, a learned person will observe the following dining etiquette:
- Wait for the elders to be seated first before starting to eat.
- Avoid flipping the ingredients in the dish with the chopsticks while eating.
- Eat slowly and do not gobble the food while eating.
- Avoid speaking with a mouthful of food.
- The host should not leave the table before the guests have finished their meal.
3. Speaking rationally
A truly learned person thinks twice before speaking. If they don’t know or understand a topic, they refrain from pretending to know by speaking some nonsense. Even if they do understand, they speak rationally. If and when they are emotionally upset, they speak slowly. They are careful with their words and deeds at all times.
4. The habit of being punctual
In daily life, being punctual is very important for interpersonal communication. If one is running late or has missed an appointment and then fails to explain or apologize for the inconvenience then this displays an irresponsible trait of an unlearned person. For a learned person, once a promise is made, it must be fulfilled.
5. Not joking about others
A truly learned person would not joke about another person’s misfortune, privacy, flaws, or family. The level of jokes reflects the person’s upbringing. A casual comment made in jest can affect someone’s life.
6. Timely response to any correspondence
For instance, when you receive a message, you must reply in time. At a time when someone greets you, it’s polite to at least reciprocate with a “hello”. Whenever someone sends you something, acknowledge them by sending a reply saying “received”. When someone offers you an appointment, express your intent whether to accept or not accept the appointment. If someone asks you a question, and you don’t understand what is being asked, just honestly say: “I do not understand”.
7. Attitude toward money
Those who do not take advantage of others and are grateful for their lot in life can be regarded as being reliable persons. When relatives and friends are in urgent need of help, those who are willing to lend them money must be kind people. Any person, who repays a loan on time and takes the initiative to pay some interest, must be a person of good character. In such cases, when talking about money and those who are open and honest about it, they must be good people.
Translated by Chua BC
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