 Manners Matter
Manners Matter with Truman and Mrs. F
Q. My mom and dad dont like it when my friends call them by their first name because they say it is not polite. Is that true? Brittany, age 6
A. It is incorrect for children to call adults by their first names, and it is also disrespectful. Although most people have a desire for comfort and casualness, it takes the same amount of energy to say Mr. Whatever as it does to say Bruce, yet the difference in common respect is immense.
Until someone has given you permission to use his or her first name, you should always go with the last name, a very dignified gesture that has nothing at all to do with implying that someone is old because they are being addressed by their last name. Adults should accept this respect for his or her personal space and realize that it also has nothing to do with perceived social superiority/inferiority. It is simply a matter of kindness and respect for personal distance.
Q. My sons friend has a habit of interrupting people when theyre talking. Can you give me some tips on how to correct him without being rude? I have noticed that my son is now starting to develop this annoying habit, too. What can I do? C.B. Willis
A. Most interrupters dont really realize what they are doing when they cut you off. It is perfectly polite to clue them in by saying something like, Let me finish what I was saying before you share your idea.
Another technique might be to correct your son if he interrupts someone while his friend is present. Just say something like, Please dont interrupt, or, I dont think so-and-so was finished talking.
Interrupters generally arent good listeners, so you might want to encourage your son to practice listening so he may be more aware when he has the urge to interrupt someone else. This takes diligence and patience, but learning how to listen is a wonderful life skill that will always serve your son well.
Truman and Mrs. Susan Fleming will be glad to answer your questions on manners and etiquette. Susan Fleming is a home economist, editor and lifestyle writer, specializing in the areas of entertaining and childrens etiquette. Parents, want to teach manners this
summer? Visit susanfleming.com and check out her comprehensive curriculum that includes a great teachers manual. E-mail your question to manners@kidsvillenews.com. If we use your question in the publication, you will receive a Kidsville News! t-shirt!
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