Introduction

Are there any traditional manners or etiquette that are still considered polite in modern society if not, do you think they should be reintroduced in some way?

Commonly Accepted Manners and Etiquette

Thankfully, people still realize that getting up and offering your seat on the bus is not a crime. However, the cultural context can make this gesture confusing. For instance, doing so in Europe might be seen as an insult unless it is a gesture towards an elderly person hobbling on a tram. In Egypt, I encountered a situation where I tried to offer my seat to a woman, only for a man to rush over and sit in it instead. His action might have been based on necessity—perhaps he was very hungry and tired and struggling to stand. This incident makes me ponder: why is offering a seat seen as such a virtue in the first place?

The Essence of Etiquette and Manners

The majority of etiquette and manners are traditional. They were established long ago to make society more polite. There are many different manners, but their shared essence is respect, kindness, and helpfulness towards others. If you are uncertain about what to do in a situation, remember these core values. If any of them apply, that should guide your actions.

Core Values and Basic Etiquette

Here are some core values that underpin good manners:

Saying “yes sir” and “yes ma’am.” Being polite. Showing care. Telling the truth. Respecting older people. Loving Jesus and sharing the message. Standing up for your values. Standing up for what is right.

Beyond these core values, there are practical actions that demonstrate respect and kindness:

Thinking of someone other than yourself. Always put the other person's needs before your own.

Arriving on time for your commitments.

Practical kindness such as holding a door open for others.

Showing basic respect for others by using polite language like “please” and “thank you.”

Saying “sorry” when you have wronged someone.

Even something as simple as picking up a shopping cart and taking it into the store, even if you don't need it yourself.

Greeting people warmly with a hello.

Being honorable and keeping your word.

Traditional Values in Modern Times

Love for God and your neighbor:

Love for God. Love for your neighbor. Respect. Obedience to parents and the law. Honesty. Hatred of the devil and his works. Stop adultery. Immorality.

I would love to see people make a greater effort to dress nicely as they did 50 or 60 years ago. Back then, no one would have dared to go downtown, much less to a dinner, wearing the same clothes they wore to work in the garden or clean the refrigerator. However, nowadays, dressing nicely often garners reactions such as 'What are you dressed up for?'

Conclusion

While traditional manners and etiquette have faced changes in modern society, their essence remains robust. Whether we reintroduce these manners or not, it is essential to maintain respect and kindness in our daily interactions.