Do Manners Matter?

Manners are a set of rules. They tell us how to treat each other and act when we’re together. According to experts, manners show others that you respect and care about them. For example, you might hold the door open for someone. You might help set the table for dinner. Or you might say “please” and “thank you.”

On top of making others happy, manners can also help keep them healthy. By covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, you can protect people around you from getting sick. 

And having good manners isn’t just good for others. It also helps you. Studies have shown that kids with good manners have more success as adults and get better grades in school.

Manners are a set of rules for how people treat each other and act when they’re together. According to experts, manners show others that you respect and care about them—whether you’re holding the door open for someone, giving up your seat for an elderly person, or simply saying “please” and “thank you.”

“Good manners make other people feel good—they put people at ease,” says Alex J. Packer, author of the manners guide How Rude!

On top of making others happy, manners can also help keep them healthy. By covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, you can protect people around you from getting sick. What could be more caring than that?

And having good manners isn’t just good for others. It’s also good for you. Studies have shown that kids with good manners grow up to be more successful adults. They get higher grades in school and impress people more easily.

But other people argue that many manners are a waste of time. They say that manners make it take longer to get things done. Your days are already full of homework and after-school activities. You don’t have time to learn the right way to fold a napkin.

Besides, people today are more casual. We send texts instead of writing letters. We say “no prob” instead of “you’re welcome.” It’s not that people don’t care about each other. It’s just that the way we act
is less formal than in the past. 

And think about the serious problems in the world today. Does it really matter if you have your elbows on the table? And who cares if you loudly slurp your soup?

Manners may not seem like a big deal. Still, some say you can’t go wrong by being polite. What’s your opinion?

But some people argue that many manners are a waste of time—that they’re annoying and make it take longer to get important things done. Your days are already full of homework, after-school activities, and time with your family. You can’t spend precious minutes figuring out the proper way to fold a napkin.

Besides, our society has become more casual. We send texts instead of handwritten cards. We say “no prob” instead of “you’re welcome.” It’s not that people don’t care about each other; it’s just that the way we act is less formal than in the past. Practicing traditional manners might make you feel old-fashioned—even kind of dorky.

And think about the serious problems the world is facing today: war, disease, and pollution, to name just a few. Does it really matter if you have your elbows on the table or loudly slurp your soup?

Manners may not seem like a big deal. Still, some say you can’t go wrong by being polite. It’s better for you and everyone else too.