The term “good manners” doesn’t appear in the Bible, but the concept certainly does. “Good manners” simply means
- to act in a loving way (love “does not act unbecomingly” – 1 Corinthians 13:5) and
- to be considerate of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
Dressing appropriately for the occasion, rising to greet someone who enters the room, offering your seat or holding the door for an elderly person, waiting to eat dinner or desert until everyone is served, saying “please” and “thank-you,” and giving your attention to someone speaking to you are simple ways in which your behavior can say you respect another person. By contrast, poor table manners, allowing cell phone calls to interrupt personal conversations, isolating yourself with your iPod earphones, always being the first person through a door, poor hygiene and burping or passing gas in front of others is rude and disrespectful behavior that offends others.
Good manners should be taught by parents and reinforced by other adults. Unfortunately, many parents neglect this responsibility and leave it to TV sitcoms and their kid’s friends to teach them appropriate behavior. Thus, it seems as if the only people who still practice good manners, courtesy and consideration are servers in a restaurant trying to earn a bigger tip. (Note: in raising our kids, we NEVER watched modern sitcoms because we never wanted our kids to treat others the way these characters were modeling.)
The darker our world gets, the brighter we Christians can shine. Do you want shine brightly? Practice good manners and people will take note of you.
