Excuse Me

"Thank you. "You're welcome." "Please." "May I?" "Excuse me. "All phrases that seem not to be heard as much in society as they should. I've seen this with all ages! The phrases mentioned above only take a couple of seconds to say, yet so many people choose not to. It is a choice. At a very early age, children should be taught to use their manners. As they get older, it should grow up with them in the hopes that they will continue to use their manners. Using good manners shows respect. When someone gives you something or helps you with something, you should say thank you. When someone tells you thank you, you should say you're welcome. When you have a request and would like something, you should start with "May I?" and add please on the end. When you need to get by someone or need to interrupt a conversation, you should say, "Excuse me." Now I need to pause right here to say something very important: we have to make sure our tone of voice is right when we say the words. They should be said in a polite, not harsh, tone. Using good manners also means speaking to people when they speak to you. When people say hi to us and especially people we know, we should say hi back. We should speak and acknowledge them regardless of what they may have done to us or what you may have heard about them (this can get us in trouble!) Perhaps you did try speaking to them not too long ago and they wouldn't speak then, but now all of a sudden they're trying to speak. I know it can be hard, but we have to ask God to help us speak. What if that is the last time you see them? What if the last thing you remember is not speaking to that person and that is now on your conscience? A week before my Mom passed, she had been to the hair salon, church, and different stores. Many people had crossed her path. No one at any of those places knew that would be the last time they would see my Mom. So it makes you think about every single moment we are given and not take it for granted. Greeting people does make a difference. Every afternoon at the middle school I work at, I stand at my classroom door and tell students "Bye!" and "Have a good day!" as they leave to get on the bus to go home. Now all of the students walking down the hallway don't always tell me bye. Some do and some don't. Sometimes, I might get a look, a wave, smile, head nod, a bye and have a nice day. In fact, now I have a few students that tell me before I can tell them! Earlier in the school year, there were a few times that I didn't get to my door right away because I was doing something else. When that happened, I saw a few students walk by and peep in my room looking for me! They didn't see me at my post and was probably wondering where I was. So while all the students may not have acknowledged me, it doesn't mean they hadn't been taken notice. They have! You never know who's watching you and touched by what you do. I definitely try to make sure that I don't miss standing at my door now! I even try to make it a habit to greet them in the morning when they get to school. Galatians 6:10 talks about doing good to all and especially to those in God's family. As believers, we should love each other in words and actions. However, if believers can't even speak and say hi to each other, what kind of example does that set for others? We should be setting a good example for others. If you have children of your own or work with children in any way, teach and encourage them to use good manners. Not only encourage them to do so, but use them yourself. Remember, children (and adults alike!) see what you do more than hear what you say. Good manners should be used everywhere we go. I want to go back to the phrase, "Excuse me, " for a minute. When we say, "Excuse me," it shows that we are being mindful of someone's space and conversation and politely says what needs to be said. In general, using good manners shows that we are mindful of others. Don't let good manners be lost with you. "Thank you." "You're welcome." "Please." "May I?" "Excuse me." May we use these words in all things and at all times. 

Good manners never go out of style.