TOP 10 Etiquette Dilemmas And How Mother Was Always Right

MOTHER Knows Best

By Elena Brouwer

IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. You hear that little voice that belongs to your mother reminding you to mind your manners. It may be when someone tells you a juicy piece of gossip, and you'd love to tell someone else even though you know you shouldn't. Or perhaps you get invited to a fancy Afternoon Tea, and you don't know exactly what you are supposed to do with the clotted cream, but you know that doing the wrong thing will be embarrassing

Mothers spend a lifetime giving us good advice that we generally choose to ignore. Sometimes our fathers and grandparents also get in the act, and we tend to ignore their advice as well. Of course, some of their prompting is very practical; get up on time as not to miss the school bus, wear clean underwear, fill up the gas tank before driving to pick up a date or friends, lock the front door before going to sleep. But what about the relentless push to "mind our manners"? As young people, we think we know it all, and commonly overlook the advice from our elders. We not only ignore pleas from them to act with good graces, we often laugh it off and call the advice silly and meaningless.

Yet, we regret our failure to listen to our mothers' good advice when we encounter occasions that make us wish we had paid more attention.

If you are lucky enough to still have your mother around, I encourage you to run, not walk, to thank her for her helpful advice throughout the years. Let her know that you are grateful for her efforts. If you have children, start the pro cess of returning the favor. They will appreciate it in the future. After all, it's just good manners!

Mothers have consistently provided us the following tips as we were growing up:

1. Make nice.

Getting along with others creates a better atmosphere with whom we live and work on a regular basis. Bullies don't have real friends.

2. Don't lie.

When you tell the truth, you don't have to keep track of what you tell others. It is confusing and exhausting, as well as wrong, to lie.

3. Apologize.

Admit your mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Holding grudges only hurts you. People rarely regret mending bridges, only burning them.

4. Bring a present when you visit someone's house.

A bouquet of flowers or a box of chocolates are always friendly gestures that will be remembered

5. Be kind to your neighbors.

They will look out for you, and it's always nice to have someone you can run to for a favor or for a chat.

6. Don't kiss and tell.

Men and women must remember to keep their romantic lives private, even married couples.

7. Let others talk without interrupting.

It shows you want to hear what they have to say.

8. Learn to use your silverware correctly.

It leaves you free to enjoy the conversation at the table.

9. Say "please" and "thank you" often.

There are no nicer words that show your kindness to others.

10. Share your wealth.

Always give to those less fortunate.