As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "What we need in the world is manners ... I think that if, instead of preaching brotherly love, we preached good manners, we might get a little further. It sounds less righteous and more practical." There is no doubt about that! Etiquette, or good manners simply is behaving better towards one another and respecting each other, it's that simple.
The basis of etiquette is simply self-respect, respect for others and it is also about one's personal integrity. Apart from a handful of people who no one can ever please, sometimes we wonder why we do not get the attention or respect we believe we deserve. This kind of "not measuring up" feeling has led people all around the world into feelings of neglect, hatred and in extreme cases, into terrorism. I am not here to preach anti-terrorism but just to give my two cent.
Peace Talks are good but to really uproot all these unrest, it must start from us as individuals - Remember, "Charity begins at home."
What we must basically do is to give up the notion of always "being right." Being right is not the goal of a gracious person and it does never solve any problems, it only compounds it.
Accepting your mistake and fixing the blunder immediately when it happens does not make you less a man or a woman than you currently are nor does it make you appear to be weak or wimpy.
Rather, by exhibiting good manners, you demonstrate respect, maturity, personal integrity and the ability to appropriately respond to situations in harmony.
Our true character is revealed not by a mistaken thing we've said or an inappropriate action - but by how we handle it after the fact.
Truly, the world would be a great and a peaceful place to live if we allow good manners to be our road map that helps us navigate tough situations... And it all begins with YOU!
