Are manners overrated?

United States
March 23, 2011 2:52am CST
I have been taught my manners as a child, but I think it's immature when people scoff at someone else's lack of manners. Not everyone learns the same things, and people from different cultures learn different manners. Normally manners are considered mature, but in this case abiding by manners becomes just plain annoying. People who are starving in some third world country are not going to care about using a napkin the right way. What's your opinion?
1 person likes this
8 responses
• United States
24 Mar 11
If someone was raised a certain way, dont judge. Unless it is hurting someone or something. Every culture`s mannerism is different.
• United States
24 Mar 11
Amen to that. :)
• United States
24 Mar 11
I like your thinking, we shouldn't criticize people who haven't learned their manners unless they are completely rude.
@keshia2007r (2880)
• United States
23 Mar 11
I don't think manners are overrated. But I do definitely think there should be a right time to learn manners, meaning while growing up, not while you are a grown up. Your right, some people are raised differently. If their parents wasn't raised with manner, and the parents of the parents. You can't expect the children to use manners. Saying yes mam and yes sir I think is still important, shows respect so in this way i don't see manners being overrated.
• United States
24 Mar 11
Good point. Just because we can't expect everyone to learn them doesn't mean they are not useful. They are just an added benefit when we all learn them.
@weasel81 (2496)
• Australia
23 Mar 11
well it is polite to use your manners, asking for things and reciving. but the way society is now, manners are not as important and it is just rude how teenagers will treat their elders. i think we should all teach our kids manners, it's a lot nice to have a child say please and thankyou. my mum is at my brother for being rude, and even told him she wasnt going to talk to him till he did use his manners and treated her a lot nicer.
• United States
24 Mar 11
elders are good sources for learning manners! I like societies that teach kids to respect the elderly.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
23 Mar 11
It's unrealistic to expect that people from other cultures, or even other families, will know what they consider to be rude, offensive, etc. But some people just automatically walk into situations with a chip on their shoulder.
• United States
24 Mar 11
Yes, it really is unrealistic, especially now that the world is becoming so diverse.
@ra1787 (501)
• Italy
23 Mar 11
I believe that manners is mostly a conventional issue. For some people behaving in a certain way is considered good manners but there is no absolute reference for good manners, so there is no point in taking offense if people don't behave in the so called "proper" way.
• United States
24 Mar 11
good point, there really are no absolutes when it comes to behaviors.
@Zer0Stats (1147)
• India
23 Mar 11
I think that manners are overrated.There are many times in day-to-day life where I see someone who I wish just had some degree of being civilised at that time.On the other hand,I think there is a point at which manners aren't needed.And this doesn't just include a time at which you're hanging out either.
• United States
24 Mar 11
I agree! People don't need to use manners all the time! Sometimes people find it annoying when I am too polite. They say, chill out!
@urbandekay (18278)
23 Mar 11
The greatest manners is not to never give offence but never to take it all the best urban
• United States
24 Mar 11
good way of looking at it. If you scold someone because you are offended, it makes you look foolish. But if you are never offended, nothing can hurt you.
@tessa9 (1085)
• Philippines
23 Mar 11
I don't think that manners is overrated and It's true that some people are raised in different way. I don't actually mind if some people corrects me and teaches me to have more 'etiquette' but there's a difference between teaching and imposing. If the person wants to learn and is willing to learn then there is no problem but if you're acting like you know everything and looks down on people who you consider 'unrefined' then that's another thing.
• United States
24 Mar 11
yes, you are right. there is a fine line between teaching and imposing. one is there to help and the other is there to be nosy.