Comments on: Did Your Momma Teach You Good Manners?

By: casual friday every day

casual friday every day — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:53:09 +0000

I don’t ever remember my Mother telling us to talk that way, but I just know I always have. I probably learned from her example. I don’t teach my kids to be polite, but because I am they just pick up on it.

Nell

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:33:17 +0000

We absolutely use “ma’am” and sir! I’m 26 and I still use those when talking to adults. Our daughter is 10 months old but when anyone ‘asks’ her something or compliments her, we say “thank you”, “please”, “ma’am” and “sir” in response. She may not understand what we’re saying yet, but she will one day.

We don’t say ma’am TO our daughter. Ma’am and sir are words of respect for your elders. She will learn to use them by our example and interaction with others and our instruction.

As for Thank You notes, we absolutely send them. I’m from the South and it’s just in your genes to send thank you notes…even if you received the gift in front of the giver and said thank you. It’s just a courtesy and respect thing. Plus…who doesn’t love getting a little note saying thank you in the mail!

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:39:40 +0000

One thing that we have tried to do is say “ma’am” and “sir” TO our children. If we expect them to say it to us, then we have to exemplify it before them not just in our interactions with other people, but in our interactions with them as well. People give me funny looks when I say “ma’am” to a five or seven-year-old or “sir” to a two-year-old, but it stands out. It makes an impact.

As for thank you notes, TK – I’m horrible with them and always have been! But, I’m determined to do better and to teach my children to do better. I’m even considering making it a school task to write thank-you notes to two or three people a week, even if we have to come up with a reason to thank people!

By: TK

TK — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:30:57 +0000

I do the “ma’am/sir” thing at work all the time. I haven’t taught my kids that one yet, still trying to get “yes please” and “no thank you” down! LOL It’s slow going, but we’re trying to instill at least SOME politeness in them.

I never did understand thank you notes. I always said thank you when I got whatever and didn’t understand why I then had to write a note. LOL