Good Manners .... Kid Style

Did you ever think that etiquette and learning good manners could be fun? Well hold onto your hats because we are going to blast off on a great adventure and find out a few facts about manners that will surprise you.

Sometimes simple things are well….simple. Manners are one of the simplest things in life and usually you know what the correct response is, without anyone giving you a hint. Of course, there is a lot more to learn when it comes to figuring out which fork to use at a fancy dinner party, but right now let’s concentrate more on the etiquette of polite behaviour. When you are respectful of yourself and others your good manners will shine as brightly as the sun.

Here are some questions about correct behaviour, choose your answers carefully.

1. If your parents ask you to do some extra chores that you really don’t like to do what should your response be?

A. Loudly state that you would rather be starved and pickled in a sardine barrel. (Careful, sometimes you get what you wish for.)

B. Scream, cry and complain that your parents are always picking on you because you are their child.

C. Give a brave smile and go about the chores quickly so they will be done and finished. (Remember that one day you too will be an adult and be able to get some free household help from your own kids.)

2. Your friends want you to help them cheat on a school test, what should you do?

A. Pretend that you have just lost your hearing in both ears.

B. Tattle to the teacher and rat your friends out.

C. Tell your friends you have come down with a sudden case of “Cheatervirus” and have to go home NOW. Then pretend to be sick at home until the test is over. Of course, this would mean that your parents may decide to take you to the doctor to treat your illness.

D. Remind your friends that learning the schoolwork is much easier than cheating and offer to help them study for the test instead.

3. You are tired, the weather is rainy, and you walk into the house with mud up to your knees. Now your mother’s shiny, clean floor is dirty and wet. What should you do?

A. Clean up the mess that you made so that it looks as good as new as quickly as you can. After all, it’s “finders - keepers….mess makers – sweepers”.

B. Bring your dog inside and blame it all on him.

C. See if your older sister or brother is home and then blame it on them.

D. Ignore the problem. When your parents ask about the messy floor, pretend you do not see any mud. “Dirty floor? What dirty floor?”

4. Your parents remind that you are chewing your food with your mouth open. Which of these is the best and most well mannered response?

A. Tell your mom and dad that you are copying their own eating habits.

B. Ask for a mirror so you can see if they are correct.

C. Politely close your mouth and continue eating.

D. Begin to cry and pout and tell your family that they are “bullying” you again.

5. When someone asks you if you like their shoes, and you personally think that the shoes are really horrid…what should you do?

A. Laugh loudly and tell them their shoes are so ugly that you wouldn’t wear them if someone gave them to you.

B. Try to find something nice to say about the shoes.

C. Tell the person that you think you hear your mom calling, even if you are several blocks away from home. You never know where your parents might be and maybe your mom is calling you.

D. Ask your friend if they are trying to look like a clown.