Church Manners Rule # 05
Rule:Do not chew gum or unwrap noisy candy wrappers in church.
Reason:Other worshipers will be disturbed.
Application:If you have young children who must have a snack, go prepared with something edible that is as noiseless as possible, breath mints for instance.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
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Church Manners Rule # 04
Rule:In synagogues men and boys wear yarmulkes and females have their arms and shoulders covered.
Reason:It is a tradition for all males in a synagogue to wear the head covering and for the women to dress very conservatively.
Application:Your sons should be taught to comply with the rules and traditions of whatever house of worship they enter. If your sons are not Jewish and do not have a yarmulke, they will likely be given one as they enter the synagogue.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
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Church Manners Rule # 03
Rule:Men and boys should remove their hats before entering a Christian church.
Reason:It is a sign of respect.
Application:Explain to your children why Dad is removing his hat or cap before entering the church building. You, as a parent, will do your children a favor if you teach them to respect the rules of worship early.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
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Church Manners Rule # 02
Rule:If you and your children are invited to an unfamiliar church, it is proper for you to inquire about the dress, the customs, and perhaps, the rituals you may need to know.
Reason:To show respect and, also, to avoid embarrassment.
Application:There may be a nursery for your very young children. Inquire what you are expected to bring.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
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Church Manners Rule # 01
Rule:Always enter a church with a respectful attitude. Always be on time.
Reason:Parishioners should show respect for other worshipers and for the dignity of the institution. Arriving late disturbs the worshipers who did arrive on time.
Application:Plan the night before the clothes everyone in the family will wear. Polish shoes and iron hair ribbons, if necessary. Getting an early start can help families get to services on time.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
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Being a Gracious Host Rule # 16
Rule:A proper host helps the guest find his or her belongings when it is time to leave. Reason:A guest feels well-cared for when the host, who is more familiar with the house, helps the guest find things. Application:When it comes time for the guest to leave, ask if you can help pack, but don’t insist. If the guest says, “No, thanks,” stay close by in case the guest discovers he or she needs you after all. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 15
Rule:A gracious host does not talk on the telephone to another friend for an extended time, leaving his or her guests to entertain themselves. Reason:Besides being a selfish act on the part of the host, the guest will feel ill-at-ease and unsure what to do if left alone. Application:If a friend calls while you have a guest, explain to the caller that you have company and cannot talk long on the phone. (The caller would want the same courtesy shown to him or her if the situation were reversed.) Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 14
Rule:The well-mannered host (child) never asks his or her parents in front of the guest for permission to do something if it is likely the parents will object. Reason:Asking permission in front of a guest puts the parents in a difficult situation, not wanting to embarrass or offend the guest. Application:Excuse yourself for a moment from your guest, find your parent, and ask quietly if you and your friend may play with the family karaoke machine. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 13
Rule:A gracious host always lets the guest be first in any activities the two enjoy or the family enjoys together. Reason:The host will find satisfaction in pleasing his or her guest, just as the host enjoys going first when he visits a friend. Application:When it comes time to play a game, let the guest choose the game and be the first to choose his or her playing piece. If you play “school” let your guest have first choice of who is teacher and who is pupil. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 12
Rule:A host once removed is a member of the host family, but not the inviter, and is expected to be hospitable to any guest in the house. Reason:Invited guests will feel very uncomfortable if they feel that a member of the family does not want them there. Application:If you are the brother or sister of the inviter, be courteous and engage in some polite conversation with the guests putting them at ease without taking over all the duties of the host. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 11
Rule:A gracious host shows enthusiasm and interest as long as his or her guest stays in the home. Reason:The guest will feel very ill-at-ease, if not distressed and unhappy, if the host expresses an unhappy or displeasing attitude. Application:If you as host have some personal problem unrelated to your guest, you may want to explain that to your friend without going into detail. Put your guest at ease as much as possible, regardless of how you feel at the moment. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 10
Rule:A host is responsible for entertaining and attending the needs of the guests, staying available while the friend is a guest in the home
Reason:A host is responsible for entertaining and attending the needs of the guests, staying available while the friend is a guest in the home
Application:As a host, don’t make plans on your own, leaving your guests to take care of themselves. You must not “turn your guests over” to another member of your family to entertain while you go your own way.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 09
Rule:A gracious host plans activities around the likes and preferences of his or her guests.
Reason:It is the hospitable thing to do.
Application:As the host, remember how you feel when you are the guest in someone’s home and your tastes and wishes are considered. If you learn that your guest is afraid of heights, don’t plan a trip to the tallest building in town.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 08
Rule:A gracious host introduces a guest to any family members present in the house.
Reason:Any visitor is really a guest of the family. When guests meet and talk to other members of the family, they feel less like an outsider and more at home.
Application:Locate your parents and siblings and briefly introduce them to your friend. If a parent or brother or sister is busy or unavailable at the moment, explain that you will make that introduction later.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 07
Rule:A gracious host always offers guests a snack or refreshment unless it is almost time for a meal.
Reason:Food and beverages represent warmth and comfort to us. Sharing food is like sharing a part of us.
Application:Offer your guest a choice of beverages that range for water to diet soda to regular soda or coffee.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 06
Rule:When the guest arrives, a gracious host shows the friend around the house.
Reason:The guest will feel more comfortable and more at home if he or she knows where things are.
Application:Show the guest where the bathroom is and where the bedroom is where he or she will sleep.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 05
Rule:A gracious host offers to take a guest’s hat, coat, suitcase, and the like, letting the guest see where he or she will be able to find them when needed.
Reason:The guest is more comfortable without some of the trappings of travel he brought with him or her. He or she does not know what to do with belongings unless told.
Application:Take your guest’s suitcase and put it on a secure, easy-to-get-to place where it will not mar the furniture.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 04
Rule:A gracious host will always anticipate the needs of an invited guest.
Reason:A host wants his visitor to be comfortable and to have a good time. Any guest will appreciate having his or her needs met.
Application:Teach your child to put himself or herself in the guest’s place. That is, have the child pretend he or she is entering the front door as a guest and does not know where things are in the house. Teach your child to make sure there is tissue in the bathroom and soap on the lavatory. Your child can go through the motions of entertaining the expected guest.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 03
Rule:A gracious host always makes preparations for the expected guest.
Reason:Making the right preparations beforehand will make the visiting time with the invited friend more fun.
Application:You might want to teach your child to make a list and check it off. Cleaning his or her room and making space for the friend’s belongings should be at the top of the list. Also, your child may want to make definite plans for an activity such as renting a video.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 02
Rule:A gracious host communicates the details of the invitation clearly, answering any questions the friend might have.
Reason:The guest will be embarrassed if he or she does not arrive on time or does not know the length of the expected visit.
Application:Tell your guest when you expect him or her, the planned activities, and how long you would like your guest to stay. For instance, say, ”We would like you to come at 7 PM for dinner on Friday evening, then my parents will be happy to take you home Sunday afternoon” or “See if your parents can pick you up about 5 PM Sunday.”
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Being a Gracious Host Rule # 01
Rule:The perfect guest always returns the invitation of his or her hosts in a similar fashion. The guest becomes the host.
Reason:It is the polite thing to do. After being a guest, we should host the person who entertained us.
Application:Dinner invitations are usually reciprocated with dinner at the guest’s house and overnight stays are usually returned in kind. However, it is not necessary to duplicate the hospitality of one’s host. Instead of entertaining in the home, you may take your friends to a nice restaurant.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
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Introducing Others Rule # 31
Rule:In a receiving line, introduce the person standing next to you to each person who comes through the line. Reason:Introducing the person next to you each time is the purpose of the receiving line. Application:Wedding reception: Your daughter’s friend, Ellen, from out of town and is in the line. Look at Ellen and introduce your daughter’s father to her. Say, “Ellen, this is Carol’s dad, Al Mosely. Al, this is Ellen, Carol’s friend from grad school.” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 30
Rule:If you and a friend pass someone on the sidewalk, it is not necessary to stop and introduce your two friends. Reason:Expediency. There is no need for the two of them to have a conversation in a simple passing. Application:Simply say, “Hello” to the friend you are passing unless you are sure the friend has time to stop and meet your other friend. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 29
Rule:An introduction of one person to five or more people should be made as a group. Reason:It is confusing to say and hear so many names at one time. Application:Simply look at the group and say, “This is my cousin, Kathy Miller. She is visiting from Dallas.” Then each member in the group should introduce himself or herself later at the appropriate time. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Introducing Others Rule # 28
Rule:It is important to practice an introduction with your child before an event. Reason:Practice always helps prevent embarrassment. Application:Before going to the open house at school early in the year, teach and practice with your child the introduction or reintroduction of you, the parent, and the teacher. Your child should look at the teacher and say, “Mrs. Herrington, these are my parents, Joe and Ann Smeltzer.” It probably will not be necessary for your child to repeat the teacher’s name since it was stated when the child addressed the teacher. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
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