Manners matter

When I was younger, I often thought that the formalities of courtesy, etiquette, and formal dress were merely outdated customs still embraced by conservatives of older generations.

Recently, I’ve taken a different view: It’s a lot harder to send mixed signals if you agree on a code of behavior that delineates what’s acceptable. That what we consider old-fashioned courtesy, as confined as it might be, is simply a language. A way for me to communicate respect to you and you to me, as long as we both agree on what respect looks like.

Thus, to know the norms and etiquette of a culture is to know the established code of conduct accepted by that group that facilitates how those people both demonstrate politeness to others, and warrant similar consideration from others.

Etiquette is about being treated the way that other people would like to be treated, by speaking the same language.

What comes around goes around. Best to start with humble beginnings.