Good manners often get a bad rap. “A lot of people think that manners are stuffy, old-fashioned, judgmental, and
But manners shouldn’t be about making other people feel bad. Instead, they’re guidelines for navigating social situations so that everyone feels confident and comfortable.
“Manners are important because they can tell us what to expect of others and also what others expect of us,” says Post Senning.
For instance, if you know you’re expected to shake hands when you meet someone, you won’t feel awkward when your friend’s dad comes at you with his hand extended.
Of course, manners often depend on the situation. For example, it might be perfectly fine to eat pizza straight out of the box if you’re hanging with friends, but your grandma might prefer for you to use a plate.
There are very few rules that apply to every situation, all the time, other than to be kind and pay attention to the social