What happened to manners?

ABC News reported recently that eight out of every ten Americans believes that lack of respect and courtesy is a serious national problem, and six in ten said the problem is getting worse. Steve Farkas, co-author of this study, said, "We're not talking about table manners, but about treating people in a decent way."
Most experts believe etiquette declined during the cultural revolution of the "Do Your Own Thing" 1960s. Many parents believe if their teens are too mannerly and nice, other people will take advantage of them. Yale professor Stephen Carter writes in his book Civility, "We have come to confuse rudeness with self-expression and acting on our 'rights.'"[1]

       

Lets take a look at the definition  of manners-  1. A habitual gesture or way of speaking or behaving

2. A distinctive behavioral trait.

Why has it become so hard for many of us to display respectful gestures or behavioral traits? I do agree that society has altered the definition of manners. In this generation there is a saying, "you gotta give respect to get respect." Though the meaning is somewhat understandable, does that mean that you should display negative behavioral traits until you feel as if that person gives you respect.

We have to understand that displaying manners is not a sign of weakness. Displaying good manners  allows you to stand out and make a good impression on everyone from potential partners to bosses to total strangers. This can lead to some tangible benefits. [2]Good manners are the grease that keeps the wheels of society turning smoothly. The benefits of good manners are plentiful, including stronger personal, family and work relationships stemming from more positive interactions with others. Good manners will command greater respect from others and improve your social life.

1. St. Calir, Jane. "Teens and Courtesy - Whatever Happened to Manners." Free Parenting Tips for Parents of Teens - Help with Teenagers. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2011. http://www.byparents-forparents.com/manners.html.

 

2. "Benefits Of Good Manners | LIVESTRONG.COM." LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose Weight & Get Fit with Diet, Nutrition & Fitness Tools. 23 Mar. 2010. Tim Horneman. 31 May 2011 http://www.livestrong.com/article/91590-benefits-good-manners/.

 

Image????

What is Image

Image can be defined as your appearance and your character

Lets look at those two words

Appearance- The way that someone or something looks

Character-  The moral qualities distinctive to an individual.

Are you displaying an appearance that represents a manner of respect?
A good personal appearance suggests a lot to others about what you think of yourself and how you regard them. People who maintain good personal grooming habits optimize their chances for job and academic success. Conveying a good appearance then imparts a message that you set high standards in other areas of your life as well. Generally, such an image is marked by a look that is appropriate, confident and positive. It communicates, to a large degree, your overall attitude. --yipees.com

What about your character, is your attitude positive? 
Positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism into your life, and makes it easier to avoid worry and negative thinking. If you adopt it as a way of life, it will bring constructive changes into your life, and makes them happier, brighter and more successful. With a positive attitude you see the bright side of life, become optimistic and expect the best to happen. It is certainly a state of mind that is well worth developing and strengthening.

Positive attitude manifests in the following ways:

Positive thinking.

Constructive thinking.

Creative thinking.

Expecting success.

Optimism.

Motivation to accomplish your goals.

Being inspired.

Choosing happiness.

Not giving up.

Looking at failure and problems as blessings in disguise.

Believing in yourself and in your abilities.

Displaying self-esteem and confidence.

Looking for solutions.

Seeing opportunities.

A positive attitude leads to happiness and success and can change your whole life. If you look at the bright side of life, your whole life becomes filled with light. This light affects not only you and the way you look at the world, but also your whole environment and the people around you. If it is strong enough, it becomes contagious.

The benefits of a positive attitude:

Helps achieving goals and attaining success.

Success achieved faster and more easily.

More happiness.

More energy.

Greater inner power and strength.

The ability to inspire and motivate yourself and others.

Fewer difficulties encountered along the way.

The ability to surmount any difficulty.

Life smiles at you.

People respect you.

Negative attitude says: you cannot achieve success.
Positive attitude says: You can achieve success.

If you have been exhibiting a negative attitude and expecting failure and difficulties, it is now the time to change the way you think. It is time to get rid of negative thoughts and behavior and lead a happy and successful life. Why not start today? If you have tried and failed, it only means that you have not tried enough.

Developing a positive attitude that will lead you to happiness and success:

- Choose to be happy.

- Look at the bright side of life.

- Choose to be and stay optimistic.

- Find reasons to smile more often.

- Have faith in yourself and in the Power of the Universe.

- Contemplate upon the futility of negative thinking and worries.

- Associate yourself with happy people.

- Read inspiring stories.

- Read inspiring quotes.

- Repeat affirmations that inspire and motivate you.

- Visualize only what you want to happen.

- Learn to master your thoughts.

- Learn concentration and meditation.
by Remez Sasson successconscience.com

A positive appearance and a positive attitude results in a positive impression of you!!!!

Welcome to my blog

Hello and welcome to my blog!!! Here we will have real talk discussions on attaining and maintaining style and character in in the 21st century. My mission is to empower and inspire teen's, & young women to reach their greatest potential through their appearance, attitude, and communication skills.