FamilyLife's Passport2Purity guides parents and preteens on an adventure to maturity.
|
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Parenting Today's Adolescent: Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Watch for opportunities to teach and apply Scripture in everyday circumstances. Sibling rivalry, for instance, offers a chance to teach what the Bible says about forgiveness.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Growing a Spiritually Strong Family
Copyright 2002, by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
My Heart Belongs to Him-My Identity
Copyright 2001 by FamilyLife
Parenting Today's Adolescent:
Helping Your Child Avoid the Traps of the Preteen and Teen Years.
Copyright 1998 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copyright 1998 FamilyLife, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Raising Children Of Faith: Study Guide
Copyright 2002 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Used by permission of Group Publishing, Inc.
Rule: br>There is an old adage that incorrectly says sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me. Words can and often do hurt.
Reason: br>We have a way of remembering the unkind remarks made to hurt us.
Application: br>Use an activity such as watching a clean, but funny family show on television or on video. Let each member of the family point out occasions when an unkind remark is made that may be meant to be funny, but is instead hurtful.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Good mouth manners exclude unkind comments, gossip, and mocking others.
Reason: br>It hurts to have someone say unkind things about you, tell your private business, or make fun of you.
Application: br>Explain to your child how to handle such bad mouth manners. One approach is not to participate in the name calling or gossip. Another approach is to make a positive comment about the person being ?racked over the coals.? Sometimes, silence is the best way to quiet a vocal naysayer.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Correcting another?s grammar or remarks should be done privately and tactfully, if at all.
Reason: br>Sometimes corrections must be given to prevent an unfortunate situation.
Application: br>Teach your child to start with ?I? instead of ?you? when expressing a difference of opinion. For instance, your child can tactfully say, ?I thought the teacher said Chapter 12 until I saw the assignment she wrote on the board saying we are to study Chapter 13.? Correcting information that way is kinder than saying, ?You got it all wrong. How can you be so stupid? Didn?t you see the assignment on the board??
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Good mouth manners should include good clean humor.
Reason: br>Good humor takes some of the edge out of an otherwise dreary day, if it is not at someone?s expense.
Application: br>At the dinner table or in the family car, ask each child if they know a funny story. Perhaps, they heard it on the radio or read it in a book. Tell the family that jokes that are unclean or unkind to others will not be heard.
Funny story: A little boy?s family needed money so he wrote God a letter asking for $100. The letter was sent to the dead letter file in Washington, D.C., where a postal worker read it, felt compassion, and sent a $5.00 bill to the return address. When the little boy got the letter, he thanked God, but asked Him not to send it through Washington next time because they kept $95 out of the $100 he was sure God had sent.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A child who hears only correction gets a negative picture of himself and feels discouraged.
Reason: br>Offering praise inspires our children to be respectful, to cooperate, and to take responsibility.
Application: br>Instead of taking the easy way out and blurting out a negative command or reprimand, find something positive to say before correcting your child. Perhaps, you can say, ?I noticed that you were polite and well behaved during the party. Next time, I?m sure you will remember to thank the mom for inviting you to help celebrate.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Flattery can be a form of bad mouth manners. Parents should avoid flattering their child.
Reason: br>Flattery is often an unearned compliment and is perceived as false praise.
Application: br>Be specific. While saying, ?You were a good boy,? is not bad, try saying, ?I noticed that you held your tongue when the little girl yelled at you.? Praise accomplishment, not being.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents should practice good mouth manners by praising and recognizing the achievements of their children.
Reason: br>Genuine and deserved praise will reinforce positive, constructive behavior.
Application: br>Be specific in saying good things about your child?s accomplishment, ?I liked the way you laid out your clothes last night for school today.? Don?t say, ?Well, it?s about time you laid out your clothes. I?ve told you often enough.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is impolite, if not hurtful, to make fun of the way someone speaks, such as with a different accent.
Reason: br>We learn our speech patterns from listening to our family from birth, and pronunciation once learned is difficult to change.
Application: br>Explain to your children about different cultures, accents, and customs. Remember that God loves all the children of the world wherever they live. While remaining patriotic, children should learn to accept people who are different from them.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Thou shalt not misuse the name of the Lord your God. (NIV Bible) Swearing is misusing the Lord?s name or names such as God, Jesus, and Christ.
Reason: br>Swearing breaks the third of the Ten Commandments.
Application: br>Explain to your children that they will hear God?s name used in an irreverent, profane way all their life, but they do not have to join the crowd of swearers. Modeling good language before your children will reap great rewards.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Unless there is a fire or someone is dying, it is almost never appropriate to yell out.
Reason: br>Yelling startles people, making them uncomfortable unnecessarily.
Application: br>Calmly instruct your children to find the person in the house who is needed rather than yelling out for him or her. The best way to stop the yelling in your house is for the parent to refrain from yelling by calmly handling difficult situations.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Contradicting someone?s explanation is rude.
Reason: br>The speaker has the right to express an opinion. Contradicting can be the same as calling someone a liar, though that is seldom the intention of the one making the contradiction.
Application: br>Contradictions usually come as interruptions when we blurt out our opposite point of view. Teach your children that though it is sometimes necessary to disagree with someone, it is not acceptable to be rude. Teach your children some alternative phraseology, such as ?Are you sure??? or ?I did not understand it that way.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should learn that there are times when interruptions are necessary.
Reason: br>When a child takes an important phone call for you, it may be necessary for him or her to interrupt your chat with the neighbor.
Application: br>Teach your children how to interrupt you when it becomes absolutely necessary. They can simply say, ?Excuse me,? or make eye contact with you as you speak, or raise their hand to get your attention.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Interrupting others is rude. It means asking questions or making remarks while another is speaking.
Reason: br>Someone has said that interrupting is like knocking someone off the path.
Application: br>To teach children not to interrupt, show them privately what it feels like by interrupting their speech, explaining that you are teaching them a valuable lesson. Respect your children enough not to interrupt them, unless it is absolutely necessary.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be taught not to tell a lie.
Reason: br>Telling one lie usually begets another lie.
Application: br>Always be truthful with your child by using tact and telling only what is necessary for them to know.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be taught not to hurt others? feelings with their words and actions.
Reason: br>Scripture tells us in the Golden Rule to treat others as we want to be treated.
Application: br>When you and your children see a person with a disability, you can teach them to not blurt out, ?Look at that funny-looking man? by explaining how badly it makes them feel when someone makes fun of them. Give them an example, if you can.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Telling the truth is a virtue all children should be taught. Learning the difference between lying, telling the truth, and using tact is very important.
Reason: br>Telling the truth is the ninth of the Ten Commandments.
Application: br>Teaching young children to be honest and yet not offend is a challenge because they do not easily understand the difference between truth and fiction. They can be brutally honest. When children receive a present they do not like, they can learn to say, ?Thank you for giving it to me? instead of saying, ?I hate it.? When children attend a party they do not enjoy, they can say, ?Thank you for inviting me.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A compliment should be accepted graciously.
Reason: br>Saying, ?Oh, this old thing? makes the giver of the compliment look foolish.
Application: br>Always give a simple thank you as a gracious acknowledgement of a kind remark.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is proper in the South to respond with ?Yes, ma?am? and ?No, sir.? In other parts of the country, parents teach their children to say, ?Yes? and ?No? when responding to a question.
Reason: br>Either of these methods teaches a child to show respect. ?Yeah, Yo, and Huh? are lazy expressions and are not appropriate.
Application: br>Always say yes or yes ma?am and their counterparts to your children and they will likely mimic you.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is proper to say excuse me and pardon me every time you think you might be offending or inconveniencing someone.
Reason: br>Saying excuse me or pardon me usually creates good will and eases tempers.
Application: br>In an hour, try counting the times you can find a good reason to say excuse me or pardon me for some small infraction, blunder, or mishap. Asking someone to excuse you or pardon you is a minor inconvenience that shows you care.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The best expression of regret is ?I?m sorry,? not ?It?s not my fault, or I didn?t mean to do it.?
Reason: br>Saying I?m sorry means taking responsibility for our actions and shows genuine concern.
Application: br>Say I?m sorry to your child every time you find it appropriate. Gently prod your child to say it when needed. If he or she refuses to say I?m sorry after hitting Tommy, you can say, ?I?m sorry my son hit you. Are you all right?? This teaches by example.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children and adults should say please and thank you.
Reason: br>Words such as please and thank you are like a boomerang. When we use them they usually come back to us.
Application: br>Model before your children by saying please and thank you to your child. Say, ?Please pass the salt to me, Kevin? and ?Thank you? after you receive it. Remind your child gently to say please and thank you when he or she forgets.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be taught to greet and respond to friends and acquaintances of their parents. Erma Bombeck said, ?A grunt is never acceptable. Hello is nice.
Reason: br>Children who learn to meet and greet people usually get along better in life.
Application: br>Teach your child to say, ?Hello, Mrs. Peters.? When Mrs. Peters says, ?Hello, Melissa. How are you?? Melissa should say, ?I am fine, thank you,? or give a similar response.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents should use a friendly tone to teach good mouth manners to their children.
Reason: br>Showing anger and impatience after an infraction of the rules often creates a negative experience which becomes counterproductive.
Application: br>As a parent, refrain from scolding with angry words or you may demonstrate the same improper behavior you are trying to correct in your child.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Perfume and cologne should whisper and not shout.
Reason: br>Some people are allergic to perfume and cologne.
Application: br>Ask a family member or close friend if the aroma of your toiletries is too strong.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The proper way to stand is with arms free and relaxed at your side.
Reason: br>If you cross your arms across your chest, tucking your hands under your arms, you look cold, mad, or indifferent.
Application: br>To appear warm and approachable, stand with your arms hanging loosely at your sides. Holding your hands below your waist and clasping your hands with your arms forming a ?v? rounds the shoulders. It is called the fig leaf position.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To make a first impression, keep your hands visible.
Reason: br>When our hands are hidden, we may appear sneaky or insecure.
Application: br>Try to keep your hands out of your pockets unless you must retrieve something.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be taught to tidy up after themselves when they perform their grooming duties.
Reason: br>Their future spouse will thank you, the parent, for teaching them.
Application: br>Provide the towel rack, drawer, tray, or whatever is necessary for the child to organize the toiletries.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Grooming should not be done in public. Grooming usually involves combs, makeup, toothpicks, nail clippers, etc.
Reason: br>Grooming is a personal chore done privately - one that no one wants to watch others perform.
Application: br>Teach your child not to use a comb or hair brush in public, unless others are using such things in a room such as a rehearsal room or bathroom.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>?Cleanliness is next to godliness? is not a quote from the Bible, but perhaps, it could be.
Reason: br>Cleanliness may not be in your child?s vocabulary, and he or she has not read the Bible yet.
Application: br>Make the bath a fun, pleasant activity with music playing or bubbles in the water, or whatever makes the child happy (within reason, of course). Give a child his or her own toiletries and teach him how to organize and keep them tidy. Remember, by the time your child is a teen, he or she may want to bathe several times daily and use more soap and towels than you care to buy.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children deserve to be taught how to make good decisions about their grooming and appearance.
Reason: br>A child?s psyche is tender; his spirit may be easily wounded.
Application: br>As a learning exercise, along with your child, watch for appropriate outfits in the movies, on television, or in catalogues looking for appropriate outfits for the occasion. For instance, let him or her choose the proper type of dress for duck hunting, a sleepover, a swim party, an ice skating event, a wedding, and a birthday party. This activity should be fun and at the same time teach your child that it is important what you choose to wear.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Proper attire should be worn, but a young child should make some choices in his or her wardrobe.
Reason: br>Clothing makes a statement about the person wearing it and shows respect or disrespect for others.
Application: br>Allow your child to choose part of the outfit for the next day at school. For instance, the child may choose between slacks or a skirt, and then mom or dad can put the remaining coordinated piece together for the outfit.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>By about the age of five, a child should be able to understand that what he wears makes a difference.
Reason: br>Some children seem to be born knowing how to achieve good taste in their clothes and overall appearance.
Application: br>Tell your child that you are showing respect for him or her by not showing up for a teacher/parent conference in your pajamas even though you would certainly be more comfortable.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Shoes should always be clean and in good repair.
Reason: br>People look at your shoes when you are not looking. Scuffed, rundown footwear makes you look careless and/or inattentive to detail.
Application: br>Check often to see if the heels and soles on your shoes need replacing. Make sure your shoestrings are taunt and in tact. All your shoes should be clean and polished if polish is applicable to a particular type shoe.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When standing or walking, your chin should be kept level with the floor.
Reason: br>With your chin level with the floor, you will more readily look people in the eye.
Application: br>Check your shadow, or check your image in a store window to keep your chin in proper place, or ask a loved one to critique you. A loved one should be kind in making any remarks of criticism.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To make a positive impression with appropriate bearing, stand erect with your chin level with the floor and your shoulders up.
Reason: br>The way we feel about ourselves is revealed in the way we stand.
Application: br>Pretend you have a string attached to your breast bone and someone above you is pulling that string. With a tug from above you will raise your torso, pulling in your midrift, but not throwing your shoulders out of line. When we tell people to hold their shoulders back, we give them instructions in looking unnatural.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To make a good impression, we should walk confidently while looking straight ahead as if we have a destination.
Reason: br>Taking baby steps and looking at the ground as we walk, makes us look introverted, insecure, or timid.
Application: br>Practice walking in front of a mirror or observe your gait before the store windows as you pass. Doing it with them, teach your children to observe other people for poor walking habits, but never laugh at other people unless they are in the movies or on television. Then it?s all right.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To make a good first impression, we must observe some other rules besides the six s?s, such as those concerning the way we walk, stand, and appear in our clothes.
Reason: br>People look at our overall appearance in making an impression of us.
Application: br>Apply the ?rule of 12.? The first 12 inches above and below your shoulders should be impeccable. If there is a curler in our hair, or dab of mustard on our mouth, or hair and lint on our shoulders, the impression we give may not be the best.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The way you teach the six s?s to your child is very important.
Reason: br>Children are born with different personalities. Some are outgoing and friendly from their infancy.
Application: br>When the two of you are alone, practice the six s?s: stand, smile, see, shake, speak, and say. Perhaps, a shy child can practice them with a teddy bear or a doll. With a high-energy, people-loving child, you can teach the six s?s with almost anyone, anytime. Always take your child?s temperament and feelings into consideration when you teach any of the manners rules.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A shy child may smile, nod, and try very hard to look the new person in the eye when he or she meets someone.
Reason: br>It may be too uncomfortable for a very shy, reserved child to shake hands and talk to a stranger.
Application: br>Encourage your child often to practice the six s?s, but don?t force him or her every time the opportunity arises. Modeling the proper procedure before your child will teach more than your demands can accomplish. Children are likely to do what their parents do.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake their hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be introduced and taught to use an adult?s last name in addressing him or her.
Reason: br>Using an adult?s last name shows respect.
Application: br>There are a number of ways to teach your children to meet and greet others. Some examples:
1) When you and your child approach an adult friend, you should recognize your child to your friend.
2) Practice the six s?s at family reunions.
3) When playmates come over, you can teach your child to introduce you, the parent, to the other children.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>People are expected to give us their name when we meet them, but if they do not, we may ask them for their name.
Reason: br>Sometimes other people do not know the six s?s, or they are shy and do not realize they are failing to give you their name, or perhaps, they think you already know it.
Application: br>If you do not hear someone give his or her name, simply say, ?My name is Tom Nichols. May I ask yours??
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The sixth ?s? is say the person?s name back to him or her. The person you are meeting deserves to hear his or her name repeated. Repeat the name as you say, ?Hello, Mary Ann (or Mrs.
Reason: br>By repeating the name you will find it easier to remember, and people like to hear their names. By repeating the name, you will make sure you heard it correctly.
Application: br>If you do not understand a person?s name when you first hear it, ask to have it repeated. You can say, ?I?m sorry; could you say your name again, please (or something similar)??
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The fifth ?s? is speak your name. Introduce yourself after you stand, smile, see their eyes, and shake their hand. If the two of you have never met and there is no one to introduce you to the new acquaintance.
Reason: br>People need to know our names and what to call us.
Application: br>Learn to say your name slowly, clearly, and distinctly. If you run your first and last name together such as Maryanndrews, it is difficult to discern the first name from the last. If you say, ?My name is Mary Ann (slight pause) Drews, your new friend will understand and perhaps, remember your name.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake their hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is not mandatory to shake hands if you have a crippled hand or simply do not wish to shake hands. Your hands should be kept behind you or out of sight.
Reason: br>It makes others who extend their hand for a handshake uncomfortable, if their offer is not reciprocated. They feel rejected. If your hands are out of sight, the greeter can see that you do not wish to shake hands.
Application: br>Kindly say, ?You won?t mind if I don?t shake hands; I have a bad case of arthritis,? or simply say, ?Sorry, I can?t shake hands.? By saying something, you put the other person at ease.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake their hand, speak your name, say their name back to them when they introduce themselves.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is important to shake hands, even if you have a problem with wet or sweaty palms.
Reason: br>It is always awkward when people extend their hand and we don?t respond in kind.
Application: br>Wipe your right hand on your clothes before you extend it. You may say, ?Excuse my cold (or wet) hand? or you may simply say nothing about your hand.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is proper to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time, at chance meetings, and for all farewells.
Reason: br>It is a warm and proper expression of sentiment.
Application: br>Get in the habit of shaking hands as often as possible to become comfortable doing so.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Females shake hands properly when they extend their right hand in a vertical position with the thumb pointing upward and the little finger pointing downward.
Reason: br>When a lady puts her hand out, palm down, the man has a difficult time grasping it for a handshake.
Application: br>Ladies, extend your hand properly and put the gentleman at ease; otherwise, he may think you expect him to kiss the top of your hand as you present it to him.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In business, the handshake is the only appropriate greeting.
Reason: br>The National Institute of Business Management says that hugging and back slapping are not acceptable in corporate America.
Application: br>Be quick to extend your hand in business before the other person grabs you for a big bear hug. Business people usually shake hands until they finish greeting one another by name.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To show special affection or gratitude, you may place your left hand on the top of the handshake, therefore using both hands for the handshake.
Reason: br>Sometimes we want to do a little more than simply shake hands.
Application: br>Extend your right hand and with your left hand place it on top of the handshake, giving the person a big smile as you look him or her in the eyes, say the person?s name, and express a hearty hello, or some other sentiment.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When one of the two individuals shaking hands has a crippled or arthritic right hand, the left hand may be offered.
Reason: br>Usually, the individual with an impaired right hand wishes to make the same hand gesture when meeting someone.
Application: br>If you are the individual with no impairment, extend your right hand and take the other?s hand from the side, grasping the left side of the other individual?s left hand.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In business, men and women shake hands the same.
Reason: br>Long ago, a handshake was all that was needed to seal a business deal.
Application: br>Shake hands to show your friendliness, the assurance of your word, to say goodbye to someone, and in other relationship situations.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The handshake should last only a few seconds.
Reason: br>A few gentle pumps up and down, with either person releasing the clasp first, is all that is necessary.
Application: br>As you smile, see their eyes, shake hands with everyone you meet the first time or on subsequent meetings.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Formerly, a man was taught to allow the lady to extend her hand before he extended his for a handshake, in social situations.
Reason: br>When handshakes first came into practice in the pioneer days of our country?s history, women did not shake hands at all.
Application: br>Today, in social and business circles, be quick to initiate the handshake, whether you are male or female.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Males and females shake hands the same way - firm, but not crushing. Women shake hands with women and with men, as men do.
Reason: br>No one likes a limp, fishlike clasp of the hands.
Application: br>Extend your right hand with your thumb upward and your little finger downward. When you reach for the other person?s hand, slide the web between your thumb and forefinger in to meet the web of the other person?s hand. Then clasp firmly.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The fourth ?s? is shake the other person?s hand.
Reason: br>In our country the customary greeting is to extend the right hand, clasping the other person?s hand and shaking it.
Application: br>Teach your children when and how to shake hands. It will give them more confidence in meeting people. Grown-ups will notice how mature they are.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In performing the third ?s?, try to look into other people?s eyes. If you cannot, then look from their eyes to their mouth and back to their eyes.
Reason: br>Because of our temperament or personality, some of us are shy or reserved and find it difficult to look directly at people.
Application: br>If you have trouble looking people in the eye, learn to look around their face, but never away from it. If you avert your eyes to the side or to the floor, you will appear ill at ease, making the other person feel uncomfortable.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The third ?s? is see their eyes. When you are speaking to or listening to people, always look into their eyes.
Reason: br>It has been said that the eyes are the window of the soul.
Application: br>If you have trouble looking people in the eye as you talk or listen to them, practice in front of a mirror. Look into a mirror and introduce yourself. You may feel silly at first, but it will become easier. Practice especially with family members. We often neglect to give our attention to members of our family because they seem to always be around.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The second ?s? is smile. When meeting someone for the first time and any time thereafter, give them a smile.
Reason: br>A smile is the same in any language.
Application: br>If you meet someone not wearing a smile, give them one of yours.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Men should stand when a lady gets up from a dining table and when she returns.
Reason: br>A man can help the lady pull out her chair and reseat herself.
Application: br>There is a long, time-honored custom in our country that says men should stand and assist ladies. It shows deference (honor).
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should stand for older people. Men should stand when a lady or ladies enter a room.
Reason: br>To show respect.
Application: br>Children imitate their parents.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The first ?s? is stand. When you are meeting someone for the first time and any time thereafter, stand if they are standing. (Exception: Sometimes it is not practical or even possible to stand.
Reason: br>Standing puts you at eye level with the other person and shows respect.
Application: br>Teach your children to stand for adults they are meeting and also any time an adult walks into the room when possible. In teaching your children you will remember to do it yourself and your children will learn a skill they will use all their lives.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Use the six s?s to make a good first impression. The Six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, and say the name of the person you are meeting back to him or her.
Reason: br>Practicing these six steps properly will almost insure that you make a good first impression.
Application: br>Learn how to perform the six s?s and teach them to your children. By doing so, you can get your focus off yourself and your fear of making a faux pas, thus concentrating on the individual you are meeting.
The six s?s are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, say the person?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There is no second chance to make a first impression.
Reason: br>People usually form their opinion in the first thirty seconds of seeing us by judging our appearance, our visual communication, and our speech.
Application: br>Learn the six s?s in the following days on this site, and you will be equipped and feel more confident. They are stand, smile, see their eyes, shake hands, speak your name, and say their name back to them.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Guests should always ask permission before using someone?s fax machine.
Reason: br>Some fax transmissions incur long distance charges.
Application: br>If an emergency arises in which someone?s fax machine must be used, insist on paying the charges.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When sending a fax, you may call ahead to alert the recipient that you are sending a fax to him or her.
Reason: br>It is better use of your time and the recipient?s time for someone on the other end of the line to be looking for your document.
Application: br>Call the recipient after your fax transmission to make sure your fax was received by the proper person.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A fax (facsimile) should not be a substitute for the mail.
Reason: br>Sometimes, personal notes written by hand are more appropriate.
Application: br>Using a stamp and nice paper, handwrite such messages as: thanks, congratulations, condolence, and sympathy notes.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Include the following with every fax (facsimile document) you send: a cover sheet with the date, the name of the sender, the sender?s fax number and telephone number, the name and fax number of the recipient, the page count (including the cover sheet), and a brief message or explanation of the faxed material to come on the following pages.
Reason: br>All of the information on the cover sheet is needed by the person or persons who receive the fax.
Application: br>Send only pertinent or important information. Junk faxes are never welcome.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A fax is a document transmitted by a facsimile machine and should be considered public information.
Reason: br>It travels over the phone lines to another fax machine that prints it out for whoever retrieves it to see.
Application: br>Use a fax machine for speedy communication that may be less expensive and more efficient than a telephone call. Do not send anything of a private nature and remember to respect the time and resources of the recipient of your fax.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Some safety rules apply to all Internet users.
Reason: br>These rules protect our children as well as ourselves from encountering harmful images or activity on the Internet.
Application: br>Children should never give out their address or telephone number on the Internet without a parent?s permission. · Never download an attachment if you do not know and approve the source. · Never ignore or click on troubling information you see on the screen. Children should tell their parents. · Never agree to meet someone you have met on the Internet.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The Internet is not the appropriate venue for all communication. Some messages must be handwritten.
Reason: br>Handwritten letters and notes have a personal touch to them.
Application: br>Write these messages by hand: congratulations, a hospitality note, a thank-you note, a letter of apology, a letter of introduction, and a condolence or sympathy note.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When on the Internet don?t send unsolicited mail asking for information on people whose names you happen to see on a mailing list.
Reason: br>It is rude because it invades another?s domain without their permission.
Application: br>Consider how annoying you may find it when you receive a large number of unwanted e-mails that you must consider before determining what action to take.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If your personal discourse on the Internet will be lengthy, include the word long in the subject header of an E-mail.
Reason: br>A message of over one hundred lines is considered long.
Application: br>If your message is too long, you may want to send it as a file attachment.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>On the Internet you may use abbreviations for commonly-used phrases.
Reason: br>IMHO stands for ?in my humble opinion.?
Application: br>Learn the common abbreviations for commonly used phrases to save time.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not send spam mail on the Internet. It wastes time and space.
Reason: br>The term spamming describes unwanted, irrelevant messages.
Application: br>If you make your E-mail messages short and succinct, you will have no need for spamming someone with non-essentials.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not use flame mail on the Internet.
Reason: br>Flame mail consists of personal insults or expressions of strong opinion.
Application: br>If you write something hurriedly, carelessly, and on impulse, keep your cursor off the send button until you have read and reread your message.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Never write messages with all letters capitalized when writing E-mail.
Reason: br>The reader will feel you are shouting at him or her.
Application: br>To emphasize a word enclose it in stars - *…*.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Use emoticons to communicate feelings over the Internet.
Reason: br>Emoticons are combinations of symbols expressed by a few key strokes.
Application: br>To show a smile in your E-mail message, use a colon, a minus sign, and an end parenthesis. :-) . (For more, see The Etiquette Advantage by June Hines Moore.)
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Do not send rude or subtle innuendoes about defenseless victims in an E-mail.
Reason: br>Privacy for an E-mail message is extremely doubtful.
Application: br>Before sending an E-mail message ask these questions: Is the message clear? Is the wording tasteful? Is correct grammar and spelling used? Have I written a positive, informative piece of Internet correspondence?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Include contact information at the end of your E-mail message if you want a response.
Reason: br>Sometimes the header information is lost.
Application: br>Use the signature line at the bottom to make sure the recipient knows who you are. The signature block should not exceed four lines.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Never send chain letters on the Internet.
Reason: br>They are legally forbidden. A violation can get network privileges revoked.
Application: br>Notify your local system administrator if you receive one.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Send only E-mail messages that you would put on a postcard for anyone to see.
Reason: br>Cyberspace is very public.
Application: br>When using E-mail, remember you do not know for sure who will read it, and even if your message is ultimately deleted, the server may be able to retrieve it.
Rule: br>New technology such as the Internet has demanded new etiquette rules to learn and observe.
Reason: br>In 1922 when Emily Post wrote her first etiquette book, she never imagined computers and the Internet.
Application: br>Use the same rules of courtesy, the Golden Rule, and the proper netiquette when going on the Internet. Although your contact is not face to face or voice to voice, as an online user you have a responsibility to respect others’ time, space, and sensibilities. Consider the impact of your message before you hit the “send” button.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>The word netiquette is a combination of the words net and etiquette that describe the rules for using the Internet.
Reason: br>The word net comes from the word Internet.
Application: br>Observe good netiquette because it keeps our Internet activity in cyberspace organized, civilized, and efficient.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Church teachers and workers are worthy of respect and appreciation.
Reason: br>They work with and teach our children.
Application: br>As a parent, show your gratitude for the time and efforts of all the teachers.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Church attendance should be a pleasant and memorable experience for everyone, even children.
Reason: br>When true worship takes place, a church will offer such experiences.
Application: br>When a church service, wedding, funeral is over, commend your child with as many positive remarks as you can. You do not want him or her to dread going to church.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>All church goers should face the front at all times unless told to look behind them.
Reason: br>It is uncomfortable to have someone turn around and stare at you.
Application: br>Never allow your children to turn around in the pew. Make sure he or she faces forward at all times.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A Jewish funeral takes place within the shortest time possible after a death.
Reason: br>The Jews believe that the soul has returned to God and that it is shameful to have the person?s body remain with the living.
Application: br>Using this reason, explain to your children that there will be no embalming and no open casket where you can ?view the body.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is no longer mandated that everyone wear black to funerals.
Reason: br>Some families choose to have a celebration of the life of the individual.
Application: br>If you are to be seated with the family, or you are a pallbearer or usher, you should wear black or a subdued color. You should ask someone in charge if you are in doubt. You should not want to call attention to yourself.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When attending the ?family visitation? time before a funeral, friends should be quiet, dignified, and attentive to the family. Visitors should not have private conversations on topics unrelated to the deceased and the family.
Reason: br>We like to be treated that way when we have a death in the family.
Application: br>Teach your children to never run, talk loudly, or mettle while you are visiting the family of the bereaved. Explain how your family would feel if you lost a loved one.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents decide when it is appropriate to take their child to a funeral.
Reason: br>Some children are more impressionable and vulnerable than other children.
Application: br>If you decide to take your children to a funeral, explain to them what to expect. The service may be a memorial with no casket, or the funeral may be in a funeral home, or the service may simply be a graveside service.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>To be well-mannered we must respect the beliefs and religion of others without subscribing to them.
Reason: br>Each one of us wants others to respect our system of belief and practices.
Application: br>As a parent, teach your child to respect other religions by not criticizing (making fun of) them and their followers. At the same time, make sure your children know what you believe and hold dear.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Members of almost any religious congregation should greet guests and visitors.
Reason: br>Guests and prospective members feel more welcome when church members introduce themselves.
Application: br>Many services have a welcoming time when members stand and greet the people they do not know.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children are expected to be reasonably quiet in any church service.
Reason: br>Church services are usually meant to be worshipful.
Application: br>If your child cries loudly and uncontrollably, you should remove the child from the service. You may want to sit near an exit if you suspect he or she might need to leave. Some churches have a ?crying? room.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be encouraged to take part in the church service as much as they can, according to their age and maturity.
Reason: br>Worship is intended to be for anyone who wants to participate.
Application: br>When your child is about eight years old, he or she will probably be able to understand the parts of a service. Hold the hymnal so that your child can see the words. You can follow the words and the music with your finger for a young child to watch. Ask your children to stand when others do and to sit when others do.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you arrive late to church and the service has begun, do not enter during a prayer or a musical presentation.
Reason: br>It is rude and disrespectful to enter during a prayer or when someone is singing.
Application: br>Wait at the back of the church until there is a break in the service, perhaps as people are being reseated.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Participants in a church service should not go in and out, but remain in their place throughout the service, unless they go to the altar (or take out an unruly child).
Reason: br>It is out of respect for other worshipers.
Application: br>Make sure you take your children to the bathroom and the water cooler before going into the sanctuary for worship.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If ushers are not in sight when you reach the entry to the sanctuary of a church, it is proper for the gentleman to lead the way. If there is an usher, the lady follows the usher as her family follows with Dad in the rear.
Reason: br>It is a general rule of etiquette that a man leads the way any time there is no one else to lead the way in public.
Application: br>The gentleman leads the way down the aisle and stands aside for his wife and children to enter the pew first.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Children should not run or push in a church building.
Reason: br>For safety and respect.
Application: br>Talk to your children before you reach the church.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Holy Communion is observed in most churches and practiced in a variety of ways.
Reason: br>Each religious organization has its own rituals, sacraments, observances, and customs.
Application: br>If you and your children are new to a congregation, you might want to ask what is expected of a visitor during communion. In some churches, only parishioners partake. In some congregations, those who take communion go to the altar at the front of the church. If that is the case, you may remain quietly and reverently at your seat unless the minister invites everyone to the altar.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Young children may write or draw in church, but not on the visitor cards or flyers provided for guests.
Reason: br>It is wasteful and disrespectful.
Application: br>Take pencil and paper or markers for your young children to use.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Do not chew gum or unwrap noisy candy wrappers in church.
Reason: br>Other worshipers will be disturbed.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>In synagogues men and boys wear yarmulkes and females have their arms and shoulders covered.
Reason: br>It is a tradition for all males in a synagogue to wear the head covering and for the women to dress very conservatively.
Application: br>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
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Men and boys should remove their hats before entering a Christian church.
Reason: br>It is a sign of respect.
Application: br>Explain to your children why Dad is removing his hat or cap before entering the church building.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>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: br>To show respect and, also, to avoid embarrassment.
Application: br>There may be a nursery for your very young children. Inquire what you are expected to bring.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Always enter a church with a respectful attitude. Always be on time.
Reason: br>Parishioners should show respect for other worshipers and for the dignity of the institution.
Application: br>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
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>A proper host helps the guest find his or her belongings when it is time to leave.
Reason: br>A guest feels well-cared for when the host, who is more familiar with the house, helps the guest find things.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>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: br>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: br>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.
Rule: br>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: br>Asking permission in front of a guest puts the parents in a difficult situation, not wanting to embarrass or offend the guest.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host always lets the guest be first in any activities the two enjoy or the family enjoys together.
Reason: br>The host will find satisfaction in pleasing his or her guest, just as the host enjoys going first when he visits a friend.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>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: br>Invited guests will feel very uncomfortable if they feel that a member of the family does not want them there.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host shows enthusiasm and interest as long as his or her guest stays in the home.
Reason: br>The guest will feel very ill-at-ease, if not distressed and unhappy, if the host expresses an unhappy or displeasing attitude.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>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: br>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: br>As a host, don’t make plans on your own, leaving your guests to take care of themselves.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>A gracious host plans activities around the likes and preferences of his or her guests.
Reason: br>It is the hospitable thing to do.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host introduces a guest to any family members present in the house.
Reason: br>Any visitor is really a guest of the family.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host always offers guests a snack or refreshment unless it is almost time for a meal.
Reason: br>Food and beverages represent warmth and comfort to us.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>When the guest arrives, a gracious host shows the friend around the house.
Reason: br>The guest will feel more comfortable and more at home if he or she knows where things are.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>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: br>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: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host will always anticipate the needs of an invited guest.
Reason: br>A host wants his visitor to be comfortable and to have a good time.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host always makes preparations for the expected guest.
Reason: br>Making the right preparations beforehand will make the visiting time with the invited friend more fun.
Application: br>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.
Rule: br>A gracious host communicates the details of the invitation clearly, answering any questions the friend might have.
Reason: br>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: br>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.
Rule: br>The perfect guest always returns the invitation of his or her hosts in a similar fashion. The guest becomes the host.
Reason: br>It is the polite thing to do.
Application: br>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
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>In a receiving line, introduce the person standing next to you to each person who comes through the line.
Reason: br>Introducing the person next to you each time is the purpose of the receiving line.
Application: br>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.Rule: br>If you and a friend pass someone on the sidewalk, it is not necessary to stop and introduce your two friends.
Reason: br>Expediency.
Application: br>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.Rule: br>An introduction of one person to five or more people should be made as a group.
Reason: br>It is confusing to say and hear so many names at one time.
Application: br>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.Rule: br>It is important to practice an introduction with your child before an event.
Reason: br>Practice always helps prevent embarrassment.
Application: br>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.Rule: br>Parents should look for opportunities to teach making introductions to their children.
Reason: br>After the children have grown up, they will most likely thank the parents for teaching such a valuable skill.
Application: br>Watch for opportunities such as school functions (open house), church meetings, when old friends or new friends who have not met your child come to visit.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When your child makes a mistake in making an introduction, NEVER correct him or her in public.
Reason: br>It?s cruel to embarrass a child, even our own under the guise of trying to teach a lesson.
Application: br>After the infraction, find a private time later to discuss making introductions again. Before identifying the error, ask your child if he or she recognized the mistake at the time or later.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is important to teach your children to make introductions, understanding that ?importance? has nothing to do with one?s character. It is simply a way to show respect.
Reason: br>Children need to know how to show honor, deference, and respect for others.
Application: br>Explain that when your son achieves his Eagle Scout Award, he will appreciate being shown respect by those who have not yet attained theirs. To a daughter, explain that when she is on the honor roll, she appreciates the recognition she gets.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>You should correct the pronunciation of your name when necessary
Reason: br>It is embarrassing to us and to the other person when he or she says our name incorrectly.
Application: br>Your name is Alissa. When your new friend says, ?Melissa? you can simply say, ?It?s Alissa.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you can?t remember someone?s name, you may try the following method.
Reason: br>Almost anything is worth trying if it helps us remember a name.
Application: br>Try to identify something about the person with the name. For instance, if your friend?s name is Mr. Ringgold, you might identify it with earring. (The danger here is calling the friend Mr. Earring.)
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When someone approaches you and you can?t remember his or her name, you can try to get the name by simply reintroducing yourself.
Reason: br>Even though we all forget names, it is embarrassing when we do.
Application: br>Say, ?Hi, there. James Collier.? Then put your hand out to shake hands, hoping the other individual will reintroduce himself or herself.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you forget a name, it is proper to simply admit it.
Reason: br>It is worse to pretend to know someone?s name or to ignore him or her than to ask for the name.
Application: br>Remember that everyone forgets names, even politicians. Simply say, ?I?m sorry. I know that I?ve met you, but I can?t seem to remember my own name today (or something similar). You will have to help me out.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Everyone has trouble remembering names. Repeating a name after you hear it and using it in subsequent conversation is the best insurance against forgetfulness. Reason: br>A wise college professor once said if we use a word or a name five times, we can claim it as ours. Application: br>Say the person?s name when you meet him or her and then say it several times while talking to that individual. Say, ?Hello, John. It?s nice to meet you.? Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Rule: br>Always repeat the name of a person to whom you have introduced.
Reason: br>By repeating the name we can learn if we are saying it properly.
Application: br>?Hello. Is it Gary or Barry??
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always repeat the name of a person you meet.
Reason: br>As individuals we like the sound of our own name.
Application: br>?Hi, Carey.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always repeat the name of a person you have just met.
Reason: br>There are many. One reason to repeat the name is to help you remember it. Application: br>?Hello, Mr. Humphrey. It?s so nice to meet you.? Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Rule: br>Always respond to a person-to-person introduction with a word of greeting along with the new acquaintance?s name.
Reason: br>Greetings are usually friendly and non-threatening.
Application: br>?Hello, Sam,? or ?How are you, Sam?? or ?Good to meet you, Sam,? or something similar. Remember to express a greeting and say the new friend?s name back to him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When making an introduction, it is not always necessary to repeat the names like a bouncing ball
Reason: br>It sounds awkward to say, ?Mrs.
Application: br>?Mrs. Jones, I?d like to introduce Ms. Smith.? The two women are within close proximity to you and to one another.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When making a person-to-person introduction, look at the person who needs the new information. You should not tell someone his or her own name by looking at him or her when you say the name.
Reason: br>Sometimes it is difficult to hear and discern the name we hear in an introduction if the introducer looks away from us when he or she says the other person?s name.
Application: br>Look at Angela and give her your boyfriend?s name. ?Angela, this is Keith Lamb. We?ve been dating awhile.? Then turn to Keith and say, ?Keith, Angela has been my friend since first grade.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Introduce a junior associate to a senior executive.
Reason: br>When the two individuals are within the company, we show respect to the higher ranking one.
Application: br>Say, ?Calvin, this is Ray Carter, our new division manager.? Then turn and say, ?Mr. Carter, Calvin is our new associate.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When introducing people always give each individual a little information about the other.
Reason: br>It?s helpful to know something about the person we are meeting so we can make good conversation.
Application: br>?Bert (customer), this is our CEO, Dr. Carl Gaddis. Dr. Gaddis, Bert is thinking about buying our new widget.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Introduce your mom to your classmate.
Reason: br>We honor those who are outside our family.
Application: br>Say, ?Clay, this is my mom.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When introducing a family member, honor the non-related individual.
Reason: br>We love our family more, but just as we honor guests we show respect to them by presenting our family member?s name to them first.
Application: br>Pretend your name is Brian Harvey. Introduce your mom to your teacher. Say, ?Mr. Adamson, this is my mother, Barbara Helms.? Your teacher would feel awkward calling your mom, Mrs. Harvey.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you need to make an introduction and you do not know who should receive the most honor or respect, make the introduction anyway.
Reason: br>Making the effort to introduce people is more important than all the rules.
Application: br>Perhaps, two men of about the same age are your friends, but do not know one another. Say, ?James Bain, this is Phil Grimes, my partner at work.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always introduce a less important person in rank to a higher ranking individual (younger to older, male to female, employee to the CEO, the CEO to any customer or client).
Reason: br>Again, we want to honor (show respect to) the person with a higher position.
Application: br>Say, ?Mr. (Boss), this is our new associate, Miss Marks.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The second basic rule of making introductions is to introduce a younger person to an older person.
Reason: br>Again, we want to honor (show respect to) the older person.
Application: br>Teach your child to look at the teacher and say, ?Mrs. Appleby, this is my friend from Mr. Angler?s room, Sam Holstead.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The basic rule of introducing people is to introduce a male to a female.
Reason: br>In our society, we defer (pay respect to) the female over the male.
Application: br>Think of the introduction as a present. For instance, present the male?s name to the female, by saying, ?Mary Jones, I would like to give you a present (John Dailey).? You honor Mary by giving her the gift first. Then turn and say, ?John this is Mary Jones.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To make proper introductions, you must first decide who is more important (the one we should honor).
Reason: br>Why decide the most important person first? So you can present one person?s name to another and show the proper respect.
Application: br>In learning the proper way to introduce people, practice deciding in various situations which individual is the most important. For instance, decide that your friend, Mary, is more important than your friend, John, simply because she is female.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is important to give both the first and last names in an introduction.
Reason: br>Sometimes we are not certain if we should call someone by the first name, and therefore, we need to know the last name.
Application: br>If you are unsure, use the last name, such as, Mr. Smith, because Mr. Smith can always says, ?Oh, just call me John.? You never go wrong using someone?s last name with a title.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When making an introduction, if you find it impossible to remember the name of one of the friends, you should say the name of the friend you can remember.
Reason: br>Knowing a person?s name when we talk to him or her makes us and the friend feel more comfortable.
Application: br>Look in the face of the friend whose name has escaped you and say, ?I don?t think you have met Harry Webb, my friend from church.? The friend with the illusive name will probably say, ?Hi, Harry. I?m Mel Innis.? Then Harry says, ?Hello, Mel? as they shake hands.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The most important rule of making introductions is to make the effort even if you can?t remember the names.
Reason: br>To ignore trying to introduce people makes everyone feel awkward.
Application: br>Introduce your child to your adult friends. Let your child see how easy it is to make introductions. Share a present, that is, a friend?s name with another.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>All children should learn how to introduce people, one to the other.
Reason: br>Teaching your child to make introductions gives him or her confidence, new friendships, and the opportunity to make a good impression.
Application: br>To teach your child how to make introductions, get him or her excited by inviting a friend over for a role-playing activity. Let the children wear hats to designate who they are. For instance, one child can wear a ball cap and the other child can wear a referee?s cap. The player wearing the ball cap will be introduced to the referee.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always sign your first and last name on any correspondence unless you are writing a family member or close relative.
Reason: br>Your name may not be common, but you don?t want the intended recipient to ponder and wonder which Alissa or which Reed you are.
Application: br>Out of courtesy and for clarity, sign Alissa Haggerty or Reed Alverson.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The rule for signing greeting cards such as Christmas cards offers a choice. Whose name is listed first when the card is from the family or from a couple?
Reason: br>Over the years etiquette experts have held different opinions.
Application: br>Sending the card with the proper sentiment is the important thing. You may sign a card: Mary and Bill Alders or Bill and Mary Alders.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In writing a thank-you note or letter don?t mention anything negative.
Reason: br>Your hosts may have gone to a lot of trouble to bake a batch of peanut brittle for you at Christmas time.
Application: br>Write an appropriate, but truthful thank-you note saying, ?Thank you so much for the peanut brittle. Unfortunately, I am allergic to peanuts, but our entire office enjoyed eating it.? They send their thanks.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A widow retains her husband?s first name for life.
Reason: br>The husband?s name is retained to show her status of widowhood.
Application: br>Even after Mr.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A divorced woman?s title may be Ms. or Mrs. with her first and last names.
Reason: br>These designations more clearly identify her marital status because her first name is used instead of her former husband?s name.
Application: br>When writing a woman who is divorced, write Ms. Jane Abbott or Mrs. Jane Abbott. If Jane is married, her name is correctly written Mrs. Carl Abbott.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The title Ms. is used before a woman?s name when her marital status is unknown and for any woman in business.
Reason: br>Often we do not know the marital status of a woman we are writing; therefore, Ms.
Application: br>Use Ms. with her first and last name. Ms. Jane Abbott is correct.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>On the first line of an address on an envelope, there is only one time when it is proper to put two names on one line is Mr. and Mrs. John Evans.
Reason: br>They are a married couple, not simply two people living at the same address.
Application: br>When you address something to two unmarried people living at the same address, their names are not connected with ?and? on the first line; rather, they are listed with one name on the first line and the other name listed on the second line. Example:
Miss Joan Adams
Miss Anne Adams
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A woman is addressed as ?Miss? from birth. Upon marriage she is known as ?Mrs.? before her husband?s name (Mrs. Harry Gibbs). If a woman never marries she usually adopts the title ?Ms.
Reason: br>
Application: br>
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A young man is addressed as ?Master? until he is about seven years old. From seven until eighteen, he is addressed without a title. After that, he is addressed as ?Mr.
Reason: br>The rule is an old one distinguishing among age.
Application: br>Let your children see you address something to a young man under seven. You will write Master Joey Wilson. You will write Mr. Joe Wilson for Joey?s dad.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>On any correspondence, everyone likes to have his or her name listed and spelled correctly. Names are better left unabbreviated or written with initials except for junior which can be written Jr.
Reason: br>A person?s name is his or her identity and distinguishes one individual from another, even within families.
Application: br>If you are a junior, the second, or the third, sign your name this way: Thomas Allen Bowers Jr. (or Junior); Thomas Allen Bowers II; or Thomas Allen Bowers III. (Nephews are named II, while a son is named Junior. Therefore, Thomas Allen Bowers II is named for an uncle.) Note: The comma normally used before ?Jr.? has been dropped in this modern age of computers.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When an invitation has RSVP, you must answer with yes or no.
Reason: br>The letters stand for Répondez, s?il vous plait and they mean ?Answer, please.
Application: br>If the sender lists a telephone number, you may call to give your answer. If the invitation says (Regrets only) you reply only if you cannot attend; otherwise, the hosts expect you to be there. If the invitation simply has RSVP, that means you are to write your answer, either on your own stationery or on the enclosed response card.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>No matter how formal or informal, an invitation should be acknowledged within one week of receiving it.
Reason: br>The person issuing the invitation must make plans that may involve far more arrangements than the receiver knows.
Application: br>Within one week, if possible, let the host know for sure if you are coming. Your answer must not be maybe or perhaps but yes or no. You should abide by your decision unless there is a death in the family or you become ill.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>With sympathy or condolence messages, it is better to leave out expressions such as ?Time heals all wounds? or ?He is so much better off.?
Reason: br>Such expressions are of little or no comfort to the grieving loved one.
Application: br>It?s better to say, ?I am so sorry for your loss? instead of ?I know just how you feel.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Letters of condolence or sympathy are better written on plain white or gray paper and often more appreciated than a commercially purchased card.
Reason: br>It shows respect for the deceased and the loved ones remaining.
Application: br>Simply express how sorry you are about the loss of the loved one (or pet, or loss of anything). Say some good things you remember about the person. For instance, ?I loved his sense of humor. Remember the time we went fishing with him and got lost. His funny stories kept us from being afraid until we found our way.? Finally, give a specific offer of help, if possible, rather than ?Let me know if I can do anything.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never begin a note or a letter with an apology.
Reason: br>It sets a negative tone for the entire piece of correspondence, no matter what is said later.
Application: br>Begin the written message with positive words, such as ?It was so nice to see you last week. I hope we can talk again soon; however, I regret that I cannot come to your party next week. It sounds like a lot of fun.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>For monogrammed stationery, the man?s initials are placed straight across. A married woman?s stationery has the first letter for her given name, with the second letter for her married name, and the last letter is for her maiden name.
Reason: br>The rule exists to distinguish between the two ? male and married female.
Application: br>For a married lady?s monogram, choose J M H. (Her married name begins with ?M?.) For a male?s initials choose H L M. (His last name begins with ?M?.) For children choose first, middle, and last name initials straight across.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When sheets of stationery are used, they are folded once and put in the envelope by placing the open edges in first.
Reason: br>Such placement of the paper in the envelope makes for easier reading when the paper is pulled from the envelope.
Application: br>Hold the envelope with the open flap facing you. Put the open edges of the folded paper in first so that when the paper is removed from the envelope and opened, the reader unfolds the paper and easily reads Dear?.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A note for such needs as an expression of thanks, appreciation, or sympathy should always be handwritten. Only business correspondence should be typed or computer generated.
Reason: br>Technology brings new wonders to us almost daily, but a handwritten note or letter has a personal touch that no machine can duplicate.
Application: br>If you need to write a note or letter and your handwriting is barely legible, you may want to print and use lots of space for easier reading. Crowded script is a chore to read.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When addressing an envelope, use the proper title before or after the recipient?s name. Do not put two titles for one name on an envelope.
Reason: br>Courtesy and good taste dictates it.
Application: br>Use Mr., Mrs., Ms., Miss, and Dr. as the most common titles used. If you are writing a medical doctor, write Dr. Sam Bowers or Sam Bowers, M.D. Never use two titles for one person?s name. Note: Dr. and Mrs. Sam Bowers is correct. (Two individuals, two titles.) Dr. Joel Sampson, M.D. is incorrect.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Only positive, complimentary words should be written in a note or letter.
Reason: br>Written correspondence can be kept, reread, pasted in a scrapbook, and treasured in many other ways.
Application: br>Ask your child if he or she would like for you to read the note before mailing it to make sure it is written clearly and appropriately.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The ink used for an informal note may be the writer?s preference, but for serious writing, only black or blue ink is appropriate.
Reason: br>Blue or black ink on white, off-white, or gray paper is the most distinguished choice of ink color for most adult handwriting.
Application: br>Encourage your children to put their personality into their notes. Green ink may be the favorite. Stamp pads and stickers may make the task more fun to do.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The envelope for a social note should be properly addressed to accompany the thank-you note you have written.
Reason: br>Your child will no doubt be addressing envelopes throughout life.
Application: br>In the top left corner of the face of the envelope, write your street address on one line with the city, state, and zip code on the second line. In the center of the envelope write the full name of the recipient on the first line, the street address (with the apartment, if any), and the city, state, and zip code on the third line. At one time it was proper to indent each line of the recipient?s address, but technology has changed that rule of etiquette because it is difficult for the post office equipment to scan lines that are not aligned on the left. A stamp of sufficient postage is affixed in the top right hand corner. It should be straight with the face of the stamp properly aligned, not upside down.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A fold over thank-you note has these characteristics: a greeting, an expression of thanks, mention of the gift or special favor, an appropriate closing, a signature, and the date in the bottom left hand corner.
Reason: br>These elements tell the recipient everything he or she needs to know.
Application: br>Show your child one of the thank-you notes you have written, how you wrote Dear?, how you mentioned the gift, how much you liked it, and how you plan to use it. Then point to the closing such as Sincerely, Love, or Fondly followed by your signature below, with the day of the week in the bottom left corner. (For informal notes, the complete date is not necessary.) You may also write the date in the top right corner.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>One of the best ways to write a thank-you note is on a fold over note with a matching envelope.
Reason: br>Such notes are usually of good paper stock and provide the proper format for an informal note.
Application: br>Look for fold over notes and matching envelopes in a stationery store, the grocery store, a discount store, and many other places. The envelopes and the notes when folded are approximately three and one-half inches by five inches or a little larger, never smaller. The post office will not accept smaller ones.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>You or your child should write a social note after receiving a special favor or a special kindness from someone.
Reason: br>Your child will glow when the recipient of the note (probably an adult) praises the child for writing the note.
Application: br>Let your children see you writing such notes. When your children read your notes of appreciation, they will develop a better sense of what to say in theirs.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Even when your child makes a phone call to thank a friend for the new-comers party given in his or her honor, a thank-you note should be written.
Reason: br>A thank-you note can be read and appreciated by others.
Application: br>Help your child make the phone call of thanks the next day, then as soon as possible write a note saying how nice the party was and how much it was appreciated.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A bread and butter note should be written after an overnight stay in someone?s home unless you are friends who reciprocate often.
Reason: br>The note we write after spending at least one night with someone has long been called a bread and butter note, referring to the meals shared over a period of time.
Application: br>Teach your child to address the note to the lady of the house, the hostess, or to the friend who invited him or her. The note should express thanks for the invitation and say something especially nice about the visit, such as, a special meal or a specific activity. (When two friends often sleep over at one another?s house, it is not necessary to write a note, but it is proper to do so if you want to).
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When someone in the family has been sick and received gifts, cards, and food, the ailing one should write notes of appreciation as soon as he or she is feeling better.
Reason: br>Writing notes after an illness shows that we care and appreciate what our friends do for us.
Application: br>Always keep a list of who brought what, such as the chicken soup, the novel to read, the scented candle, etc. Wait until the ill family member is feeling better and then help him or her get together everything needed to respond to the well wishers. The task may even be done in bed with the right bed tray table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>For writing social notes, you should provide a special place with the proper supplies handy for all members of the family to write notes and letters.
Reason: br>When supplies are readily available and when a comfortable spot with a flat surface is accessible, all members of the family will be more likely to write notes.
Application: br>Go to a stationery store (or even a discount store) and purchase paper, fold-over notes, envelopes, pencils, pens, markers, ink pads, and stamps. Choose a drawer or a desk in the house where all the supplies can be easily found. Include the family address book.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To teach the art of writing thank-you notes parents should see to it that their children have the proper tools for creating an appropriate note to fit the occasion.
Reason: br>Receiving a note from anyone is like getting a handwritten hug.
Application: br>You and your child can write notes for birthday, Christmas, or ?just because.? There are get-well notes, ?bread and butter? notes after an overnight visit, friendship cards, and responses to invitations. Other occasions for writing notes are following a special trip or an outing. It?s nice to write a note to a Sunday school teacher or church leader for being a thoughtful, caring teacher. Notes and cards with kind sentiments are always appropriate when a hug is needed or recognition is due.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Generally, thank-you notes for gifts should be written within one week of receiving them.
Reason: br>The giver may be anxious to learn if you received the gift and how you liked it.
Application: br>Help your child prepare a note for each gift received, and let it be his or her special creation.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>As age allows, children should be taught when to write, what to use, where to write, what to say, and how to send a thank-you note.
Reason: br>These are the elements of proper correspondence.
Application: br>Teach your children to write notes promptly when they receive a gift, a favor, an invitation, or anytime they want to make someone feel good. Provide a special place with the proper tools such as paper, envelope, pencil (or marker), and stamps for your family members to create their correspondence. Guide the child in writing the thank-you words, how to seal and stamp the envelope, and how to mail it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children as young as three should be taught how to write a thank-you note.
Reason: br>Teaching thoughtfulness at an early age will be a lifetime benefit to the child.
Application: br>Your three-year-old, with the right assistance, can scribble or draw a picture of the new birthday toy he or she received from Grandma. Explain how good it will make Grandma feel to receive a thank-you note in the mail or in person.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A sleep-over guest should abide by the ?going to bed and getting up rules? of the house.
Reason: br>Other people in the house may have a heavy schedule the next day and need their rest.
Application: br>While you may have a good time, you must, as a guest, pay attention and abide by the rules laid out by the parent. For instance, if you are an early riser, be very quiet until you are told that everyone has risen.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When it comes time to leave, a good guest asks the friend and the parent if there is anything that needs cleaning up or putting away before he or she leaves.
Reason: br>Leaving a friend?s house in proper order when you leave will be appreciated and remembered.
Application: br>Ask your host friend first and then a parent if there is anything you can help with before leaving.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A good guest always helps clean up and put toys or games away.
Reason: br>It is the polite thing to do and it also speeds up the chore so the two friends can move on to another activity.
Application: br>When play is finished, don?t simply offer, but begin picking up the pieces of the activity to return them to the box. After a meal, offer to help with the dishes and listen carefully for the mom?s answer. She may want help and she may prefer to do the dishes alone.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest is expected to pay his own way unless the host family insists on paying the expenses of a planned activity.
Reason: br>Both guest and host will feel more comfortable if the guest clearly is prepared to pay his or her way, even if the host plans to take care of everything.
Application: br>When it comes time to pay for the movie ticket, for instance, be prepared to pay your own way as a guest. Offer once to pay for your ticket. You can have your money in your hand and say, ?I?ll get mine, or something similar.? But don?t insist or make a scene. Neither the host nor the guest should be embarrassed over financial arrangements.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest is always polite and kind to the brother and sisters of the resident child even when the resident child is quarreling with the sibling.
Reason: br>Family members sometimes take liberties with one another that they would find offensive if a guest, such as being a tattletale.
Application: br>If a brother or sister of the resident child is annoying you, resist the urge to tattle. If your friend and a sibling are quarreling, stay out of the way. If the sibling is annoying you, be cooperative and generous, and you might make a new friend. If the other child becomes intolerable, ask the host child to help you out and let him or her tell the parents.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If a guest makes a mess, he or she should tell the mom and help clean up.
Reason: br>The more mature you are the more you take responsibility for your actions.
Application: br>Find the parent, explain what happened, and say that you are sorry. Ask where you can find the cleanup tools. If the parent wants to do the cleaning alone, abide by those wishes. The soiled or damaged item may require special treatment. If you broke something, you must offer to replace it, and even if the parent says that is unnecessary, finding a replacement is the polite and proper thing to do.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest does not make telephone calls without asking permission.
Reason: br>The call may be charged to the host family.
Application: br>If your call is long distance, use a credit card or make arrangements with your family for the call before you leave home.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you are an overnight, out-of-town guest, you should write a thank-you note as soon as possible after you arrive home ? even if you thanked the parents personally before leaving.
Reason: br>It is called a bread and butter note and is a long standing tradition.
Application: br>If you do not have your own note cards, simply ask your mom for a nice piece of paper and an envelope. It is not necessary to write a long letter. Simply say something nice about your visit such as the food or the activities.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Upon leaving, a guest should always find the parent (s) to thank them for inviting you.
Reason: br>It is the polite and gracious thing to do.
Application: br>You may say as much as you like, but be sure to say, ?Thank you for inviting me.? If you had a good time, say so. Otherwise, simply say, ?Thank you.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should carry a list in his suitcase of everything he brought.
Reason: br>The host family should not find it necessary to return items later.
Application: br>Before leaving home, make the list and pack it. When it comes time to leave, simply check everything off your list.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest may say, ?Excuse me, please? when he or she absolutely must enter a room or interrupt briefly.
Reason: br>Sometimes, others may not realize they are interfering with a guest?s needs.
Application: br>Simply say, ?Excuse me, please. I must get my glove to go to ball practice now.? Upon leaving the room, say, ?Thank you.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest always respects the privacy of others.
Reason: br>Remember the Golden Rule. You as a guest would not want your brother?s visiting friend sneaking around spying on you at your house.
Application: br>Never open a closed door without knocking. Never enter a room uninvited where two people appear to be having a private conversation. Don?t snoop in drawers, closets, or cupboards.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest may be expected to use his or her bath towel more than once.
Reason: br>When drying off we do not soil a towel.
Application: br>If you are unsure about getting a fresh towel and you are not offered one, you may ask the resident child what is expected.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should always make his or her bed daily, or at least make the attempt, even if the resident child does not straighten his or her sleeping place.
Reason: br>The parent hosts will be pleased and impressed when he or she looks into the room later in the day.
Application: br>Start with the cover sheet, straightening it by pulling it toward the pillows. Next, bring the blanket or comforter up and smooth out any ripples. If the bed is difficult to reach or is crowded against a wall, you may not be able to do a fantastic job, but the attempt is what counts. On the last day of the visit ask the mom if you should strip the bed for the laundry.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest must wait his or her turn to talk.
Reason: br>Interrupting others is very rude and unpleasant.
Application: br>If the adults are having a conversation and the resident children are not taking part, as a guest you must not try to enter the conversation.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should pick up his or her dirty clothes and keep them with his or her other things.
Reason: br>: No one wants to pick up after a guest, and no one wants to stumble over someone else?s mess.
Application: br>Carry a plastic or paper bag with you on the visit to put your soiled clothes in.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should always be neat and keep his or her things together.
Reason: br>A guest wants to be remembered for neatness and helpfulness more than for careless disregard.
Application: br>Carry your toiletries with you to the bathroom. Before you leave the bathroom, pick up your towel, rinse the sink, flush the toilet, and return your personal things to your suitcase. Don?t leave them spread out in disarray over the bathroom counter.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should treat the possessions of the family with respect and care.
Reason: br>A guest should be grateful enough for the invitation that he or she makes every effort to safeguard the family possessions.
Application: br>Think how you would feel if your friend came to your house and destroyed your new game.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At meals, a guest should taste everything without commenting about the taste unless the food is good.
Reason: br>The parent hosts have probably gone to a lot of trouble preparing the meal.
Application: br>Teach your children to try a little of everything. They may find they like something after all. They can take a very small bite and wash it down with milk if they don?t like the taste. There is no etiquette rule that says we have to clean our plates.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest may ask for a snack if it is not too close to dinner or if the resident child has not already asked and been refused.
Reason: br>The parent hosts would not want a guest to be uncomfortable.
Application: br>Simply go to the mom or the dad or the adult in charge and say, ?May I please have a little something to eat to hold me until dinner.? Then gratefully accept whatever is offered.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should be agreeable (if possible) to the activities planned by the host or the host?s family.
Reason: br>If the special needs of a guest were communicated before the visit, the family will not likely plan unreasonable activities.
Application: br>Be agreeable and cooperative as you enter into whatever games or activities offered. If it is something new to you, you might be pleasantly surprised and have fun learning something new.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The guest must obey the rules of the house even if the resident child does not.
Reason: br>It is the respectful and appreciative thing to do.
Application: br>If the resident child must help with the cleanup after dinner, let it be known that you are ready and eager to help.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Upon arrival a guest should say hello to the friend?s parents and any other family members present.
Reason: br>Any visitor is a guest of the entire family, not just the friend of the child who extended the invited.
Application: br>Greet the parents and family members with a smile.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you are a guest and have allergies or phobias, you may discreetly tell the hostess or have the two moms discuss it.
Reason: br>The host family will not want you to suffer in silence nor get upset because they did not know you could not swim or that you were afraid of heights.
Application: br>It?s nice if the host or hostess asks about special needs when the invitation is extended or soon thereafter but if they do not, it is the guest?s responsibility to communicate any special diets or allergies. As a guest you must carry your own medications, breathing apparatuses, special clothing, or whatever you need. It?s important to remember that as a guest you want to be as little trouble as possible. Simply having a dislike for spinach is not a reason to expect your own private vegetable. You probably hope to get a return invitation at a later date.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Any overnight guest should take a small, inexpensive gift to the hostess unless the two friends exchange overnight invitations on a regular basis ? such as a school chum.
Reason: br>Besides being a tried and true tradition, taking a gift is simply a nice gesture because the host family may spend time and perhaps some expense to entertain their guest.
Application: br>For a small gift, a food item or a non-permanent one makes a good choice. You do not want to take something decorative that might not go well with the furnishings of the house or the tastes of the hostess. The item must not be a personal one such as bath powder or cologne for the hostess. The guest?s mom might like to send a treat she has baked. Another nice gift would be a scented candle in vanilla or another ?generic? flavor.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A guest should always be prepared to participate in whatever activities your host has planned.
Reason: br>When a guest is agreeable and cooperative, everyone has more fun.
Application: br>When the invitation is extended, your host should tell you a little of the plans so that you can come prepared, but it is all right to ask if there is anything special you will need to bring for any planned activities such as going to the beach or sledding.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>For a sleepover, a guest should take toilet articles and any other personal items he or she might need.
Reason: br>So that it will not be necessary to borrow from the hosts.
Application: br>At any age it is a good idea to have your own personal bag or suitcase or satchel for carrying your overnight needs.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To be a welcome guest, a child must know what is expected of him or her by the hosts.
Reason: br>Making a list will call to mind things to do and not to do that you and your children might not otherwise remember.
Application: br>Depending on the age of your children and their preferences, make a good-guest manners list on the computer, letting all the children in the family participate or simply discuss good-guest manners while traveling in the car. A child who can make a list either verbally or in written form will have a good handle on being an honored guest.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>For a child to be an oft?-invited guest whether for a brief visit or an overnight stay, he or she must be well-mannered.
Reason: br>When a child can exercise a certain amount of self-control, he or she will be more agreeable, more courteous, and more fun to have around.
Application: br>Think back as a parent to a time you had guests (children or adults) when you couldn?t wait for them to leave, and you will quickly realize the importance of helping your child learn how to be a welcome guest.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is important to speak clearly on the telephone.
Reason: br>The person on the other end cannot see our face to read our lips.
Application: br>Try to eliminate such phrases as Whadaya want? and Whoozit.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Families should have a central place to leave messages.
Reason: br>All messages are important to the intended recipient.
Application: br>Choose a place in the house, perhaps, the kitchen where everyone passes when they arrive home.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When taking a message over the phone for someone, you should write down the information accurately and place it in a prominent place.
Reason: br>Messages that sometimes seem trivial to one member of the family may be very important to another.
Application: br>Practice with your child to teach how to write a proper message: name, number, time and date, and short message.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When children are nine or ten, they are usually able to call a place of business for information.
Reason: br>They can write information down as they receive it over the phone.
Application: br>Help your child place a call and ask for specific information. For example, your child wants a new pair of skates. Have him or her call the store to ask if the appropriate brand and size of skates are available there.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When children are about five or six they can usually answer the telephone and take a message.
Reason: br>Their cognitive skills have usually developed enough to repeat the words of the caller.
Application: br>To practice with your child, tell your child and the other adult that you will call home, speak to your child, and leave a message with him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In case of emergency when your cell phone must be ?on,? put it on vibrate, sit near the entrance to your row of seats, and sit near an exit in order to make a hasty departure when your phone rings or reverberates.
Reason: br>Courtesy: Your ?emergency? should not invade others? tranquil enjoyment of a performance, service, or dining experience.
Application: br>Notice how annoyed you become when other people answer their cell phones in your presence.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Use discretion when using your cell phone. Make ?private? conversations brief when you are in the presence of others.
Reason: br>A cell phone can be a life-saving invention, but it can also be an annoyance.
Application: br>Set your cell phone to vibrate when you are in a public place such as a restaurant. Have incoming messages recorded for you to answer later.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you expect a telephone call you must take, tell the person when you make a call or receive one.
Reason: br>By telling the other person ahead of time, you alert them to a possible interruption.
Application: br>When making a call or receiving a call waiting, politely tell the other person that you are expecting an important call, perhaps from a doctor.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>With call-waiting, if you get a call that is urgent, go back to the first caller long enough to explain that you must take the second call and that you will call the first caller back as soon as you can.
Reason: br>Whatever the cause for the emergency.
Application: br>Ask the first caller to please excuse you because of an emergency.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>With call waiting, you should tell the second caller that you are on the other line with someone. Ask if you may call him or her back when you finish the first call.
Reason: br>Respect for the first caller.
Application: br>Call-waiting is a convenience, but we shouldn?t always impose on first callers by answering it. You may choose to answer it or continue giving your complete attention to the first caller. Realize how inconvenienced you felt the last time you called a friend and were repeatedly interrupted by call waiting for long periods of time.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you are on the phone and you hear the call-waiting beep, ask the present caller if he or she can hold for you to answer the other ring. Wait for an answer.
Reason: br>The first caller may not wish to be put on hold.
Application: br>Take the time to be polite to both callers. One does not know about the other unless you tell him or her.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Good telephone etiquette requires that when you answer call-waiting, you should remember the first caller should be given priority.
Reason: br>The old adage: First come, first served unless the second caller has an emergency.
Application: br>Realize how inconvenienced you probably felt when you were the first caller and had to wait a long time.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always ask a telephone caller to please wait for you to get the person being called or to get the information needed.
Reason: br>We should respect another?s time.
Application: br>The caller may prefer to call back when the person he or she is trying to reach is more accessible.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you are talking to someone on the phone, don?t put someone on ?hold? for more than 20 seconds without getting back to them to see if they want to continue holding.
Reason: br>Everyone is busy. The caller may prefer to call back later.
Application: br>After putting a caller on ?hold? for about 20 seconds, check back with the caller and ask if he or she would like to continue holding. Say how long you think the wait may be.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t be rude when responding to unwanted phone calls.
Reason: br>The way parents talk on the phone will be imitated by their children.
Application: br>When a telemarketer calls, be polite, but decisive. Say, ?I don?t make such decisions over the phone. Mail me something? or ?Thank you, but I am not interested. Please put me on your ?no call? list.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Teach your children that when they are leaving a message, to always give their name, their telephone number, and a brief message.
Reason: br>If callers do not speak clearly and leave the necessary information, the one hearing the message may be unable to reply.
Application: br>When you know Grandma is not at home, let your child call her and leave a message, asking grandma to please call him. Your child will enjoy having his call returned.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Teach your children how to properly leave a message on a telephone answering machine.
Reason: br>Good or bad habits are formed very early.
Application: br>Sometime when you are out shopping with your child, let him call your home and leave a message. Your child will enjoy hearing his voice on the machine later.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Use discretion when recording your outgoing message on your telephone answering device. An example of a bad message was reported in the October 8, 1997, Arkansas Democrat Gazette: ?Hi, I?m probably here.
Reason: br>Callers form an impression of us by our outgoing message.
Application: br>Ask friends who call often to critique your outgoing message, so you can improve it, if needed.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The outgoing message from your phone should never be unnecessarily long, ?cute,? or musical.
Reason: br>What may be ?cute? to the owner of the phone, can be very annoying to a caller.
Application: br>Record a message that is as short as possible, yet giving out the needed information.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A good, outgoing message to leave on your telephone answering service, whether you have call notes, a voice mailbox, or a machine is ?You have reached 000-0000.
Reason: br>For privacy concerns it is not necessary to give the name of the household.
Application: br>For an outgoing message from your home, it is a good idea for a male to record the message, especially if a female lives alone.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Telephone message machines and call notes can be wonderful conveniences, but there are rules to be followed. For your outgoing message to callers, speak slowly and clearly.
Reason: br>Callers need the information so they can leave their message quickly and confidently, knowing they are speaking to their intended party.
Application: br>Check your outgoing message occasionally for accuracy and effectiveness. Electric power outages can erase your outgoing message, often without your knowing it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you answer the phone and the caller wants to speak to someone else, don?t yell out the person?s name, telling him or her to come to the phone.
Reason: br>Your shout is magnified on the phone, nearly deafening the caller.
Application: br>Lay the receiver to the phone down and quietly find the person needed.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t tell a lie on the phone by saying, ?He can?t come to the phone because he is in the shower? when the person being called simply does not want to talk to the caller.
Reason: br>The ninth commandment.
Application: br>Simply say, ?He or she can?t come to the phone right now, may I take a message.? When a parent tells his or her child to lie on the phone because the parent does not want to take the call, the parent may inadvertently teach the child that it is all right to lie.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you answer the phone and the caller asks for a member of your household who is not at home, it is not necessary to tell the caller that you are home alone.
Reason: br>For safety and privacy.
Application: br>Teach your child never to tell a caller he is home without a parent present. The child may simply say, ?My dad (or mom) is not available.? The child can ask the caller if he/she would like to speak to the baby sitter. That way the caller knows the child is not alone.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t talk on the phone while carrying on a conversation with someone in the room.
Reason: br>It is annoying and confusing to the person on the phone.
Application: br>If it becomes necessary to speak with the person in the room, excuse yourself for a minute from the phone call and return as quickly as possible.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t talk on the phone while eating or drinking.
Reason: br>Sounds are magnified over the telephone.
Application: br>If someone calls you while you are eating, ask if you may call them back.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The individual who makes the telephone call is the one to say good-bye and hang up first, and if the telephone connection is broken, the caller replaces the call.
Reason: br>If you both try to replace the call, you will hear only a busy signal.
Application: br>In applying these rules, there is an exception: In business, the customer is expected to end the call.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Teach young children how to dial 911 on the phone in case of an emergency, though they may not be old enough to answer the phone and take a message.
Reason: br>For safety.
Application: br>One idea is to paint the 911 numbers with a dab of nail polish and teach a child to start with the dot on the 9 near the base of the numbers and then move up to l, hitting it twice. If you practice this with your child, make sure the phone is unplugged.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you use the telephone and reach a wrong number, don?t just hang up. Always say you are sorry, and that you must have reached the number in error. Or, simply say, ?Sorry, but I must have dialed the wrong number.
Reason: br>No one likes to be ?hung up on? even when someone calls a number in error. The recipient of the call deserves an explanation.
Application: br>The Golden Rule says, ?Do unto others as you would have them do to you.? Recall the last time you rushed to answer your phone only to hear silence, then a loud click, and then the dial tone.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When placing a telephone call consider the time of day (or night). The generally accepted rule says, ?Don?t call anyone at home after 9:00 PM unless the call is expected, or the call is to report an emergency.
Reason: br>No one wants to be awakened by a ringing phone for a trivial conversation.
Application: br>Teach your children to respect the right of ?freedom from distress? of others.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Consider using a mirror when you or your family members answer your phone.
Reason: br>You will be more aware of how you are responding to the ring and the caller ? tired, irritable, lazy, disconnected, or uncaring?.
Application: br>Use humor, not scolding when you teach this rule to your family. For instance, demonstrate the various inappropriate ways by answering in a tired or irritable voice, etc.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When talking on the phone, speak clearly. Don?t mumble, jumble, or garble your words. ?Yo, Yeah, and Who?s this? are never as good as ?Yes and Who may I ask is calling??
Reason: br>Have you ever called a place of business and heard ?Blah, blah, blah?? like the individual was competing in a speed race? You probably had no idea if you had reached your intended location.
Application: br>Practice speaking slowly and clearly. When repeating the same information often, such as your name and phone number or address, concentrate earnestly.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When placing a telephone call, always identify yourself as soon as someone on the other end of the line says hello.
Reason: br>Courtesy.
Application: br>Practice saying, ?This is?. May I speak to?.?? It takes at least five attempts to establish a habit. Our children imitate our every word and action. They need to know how to properly place a phone call, also.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you answer the telephone, smile!
Reason: br>Our voice is all we have to communicate with over the phone. A smile is language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Application: br>Try smiling while you say hello in the mirror. Then try frowning, and you will hear a difference in your voice.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you wear a dental appliance of some kind, remove it privately before you get to the table.
Reason: br>Removing your appliance may be a normal part of your day, but when others see you do it, it is repulsive.
Application: br>Be careful to remove your appliance and place it in a pocket or a purse. Wrapping it in tissue paper or a napkin invites the disaster of losing it or having it thrown away with the trash.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents should not reverse the place setting for a left-handed eater.
Reason: br>Unfortunately, we live in a right-handed world.
Application: br>Gently guide your left-handed children in maneuvering a place setting arranged for right-handed people.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If chip and dip are served, do not ?double dip? - that is, don?t dip a chip in the bowl, eat from it, and then dip the half-eaten chip in the bowl again.
Reason: br>For sanitary reasons.
Application: br>Break a large chip in two or choose a chip small enough to dip and put into your mouth all at one time (without stuffing, of course).
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always pass the salt and pepper together.
Reason: br>Think of them as a married pair.
Application: br>An interesting story about the salt and pepper involves Mr.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t put more food on your fork or spoon than you can eat at one time.
Reason: br>You will have to stuff your mouth too full and that is unpleasant for others to see.
Application: br>Fork only small portions of meat and vegetables at a time and you won?t have to stuff your mouth.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t mix up food on your plate unless it is meant to be mixed.
Reason: br>Such a mess can be very unappetizing to other diners.
Application: br>Gravy and mashed potatoes go together. Onions and applesauce do not.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you spill a little something on the tablecloth while you are eating, scoop it up with your spoon or knife and place it on the edge of your plate.
Reason: br>You do not want to make a scene, but you also do not want others to have to look at the objectionable tidbit.
Application: br>If you have a major mishap, apologize to the hostess and offer to help clean it up.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There is a proper way for a gentleman to seat a lady.
Reason: br>It is a long established tradition that members of society have chosen to retain.
Application: br>The gentleman pulls the chair back and the lady steps to the front of the chair with the back of her knees touching the front edge of the chair. Then she lowers herself straight into the chair (without projecting her derriere). She places her hands on the sides of the chair and helps the gentleman move the chair forward under the table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Butter one half or one bite of bread at a time.
Reason: br>If you open your mouth wide enough to take a big chomp out of a dinner roll, you will likely expose your tonsils to the people eating with you and no one wants to see them.
Application: br>With your fingers, pinch a bite off the roll, butter that piece, and eat it. If you have a biscuit or a bagel, you may separate the top from the bottom and eat from each of them. Cornbread may be eaten whole because it will crumble if you try to divide it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not use your cloth napkin to remove something from your mouth.
Reason: br>If you put the offensive morsel in your napkin and later lift you napkin while forgetting about the ?thing,? you may watch it fall on the table or the floor.
Application: br>Take something out of your mouth with the utensil you used to put it in, such as taking a seed out of your mouth with your spoon.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t shovel your food and don?t bend down to meet your plate as you eat.
Reason: br>It is repulsive to other eaters.
Application: br>Hold your spoon and your fork as you hold a pencil for writing.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you cannot eat something, whatever your reason, move the food around a little with your fork or spoon. Don?t sit with your arms folded with a ?yuk? look on your face.
Reason: br>With a ?yuk? look on your face, arms crossed over your chest, and a stiff posture, you will cause your fellow diners to wonder if something is wrong with their food.
Application: br>Perhaps, the only time you can be a hypocrite is when eating. If you pretend to eat something served, others at the table may not even realize you are not eating.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never say bad things or ?yuk? about the food, no matter how much you dislike it.
Reason: br>You should consider the feelings of others who are at the table.
Application: br>Keep your opinions to yourself; eat what you can; sit quietly while others finish.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never leave a spoon protruding up from a bowl or a glass.
Reason: br>Safety. If you leave a spoon sticking up in a bowl of soup and you reach for your water, you might bump the spoon and send it hurtling across the table.
Application: br>When you are not eating with the soup spoon, you should place it on the plate beneath it. A spoon sticking up from a glass should be removed and propped on the rim of a plate.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never use your own piece of silverware to take something from a common dish of food.
Reason: br>Doing so does not look pleasant to others who may want to take something from the same platter.
Application: br>Use the serving piece in the dish. If there is none, ask the hostess if you may have one.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is no longer the rule that you must eat every last morsel on your plate. Nor is it necessary to leave a little of everything on your plate.
Reason: br>Those two rules have been ?old wives? tales? and were never enforced.
Application: br>If you like the food, you may eat all of it as long as you don?t scrape your plate clean. If you feel satisfied before every last piece is eaten, you may leave a little. (This is not a parenting rule. Parents make their own rules about what their children eat.)
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never take the last piece of food from a dish or platter.
Reason: br>It is selfish to reach for the last of anything, depriving others of the food.
Application: br>If you are a guest, simply say nothing, but if you are with family or close friends you may say, ?Would someone like to share this last piece of pizza?? (Often the hostess will ask if someone wants the last piece. If you accept, you should still offer to share it.)
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you sit down to a meal and discover you are missing a piece of silverware that everyone else has, you should ask for it.
Reason: br>You are not expected to eat your soup with a fork.
Application: br>Simply say, ?I seem to be missing my steak knife.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you drop a piece of your silverware in someone?s home, do not pick it up.
Reason: br>It is likely unclean. No one wants it back on the table.
Application: br>Simply ask the hostess if you may have another.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you drop a piece of silverware on the floor in a restaurant, do not pick it up.
Reason: br>Once an object is dropped from the table, it is considered unclean.
Application: br>Simply ask the waiter to please bring you another fork or spoon or knife. If the dropped fork is in the walkway where someone might trip over it, move the fork out of the way with your foot.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If and when you find some foreign, unwanted objects in your food, don?t announce it to your tablemates.
Reason: br>You will spoil their appetite.
Application: br>In a restaurant, quietly ask a waiter to bring you another serving of the contaminated food. In someone?s home, simply sit and say nothing or ask the hostess if you might have another dish to replace the one you cannot eat. Don?t talk about the problem.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not blow on your food to cool it unless you are at home with family.
Reason: br>It appears juvenile.
Application: br>Wait until the food cools.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not lean back in a chair, resting on the two back legs.
Reason: br>You might fall or you break the legs off the chair or both.
Application: br>Keep all four legs of the chair on the floor.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not place items, such as purses, briefcases, or hats, on a restaurant table top.
Reason: br>Nothing but food and drink should be on a surface from which you will be eating.
Application: br>Put personal items on a vacant chair or in your lap, if possible. If you put things on the floor someone might stumble over them.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not talk about diets, politics, road kill, or any other disgusting or argumentative subject.
Reason: br>Some of your tablemates may have a weak stomach even if you do not.
Application: br>It is all right to mention what political party you support, but it is never appropriate to discuss party differences. You will do better not to mention any political matter. You may talk about your religious faith if you can do so without offending someone with a different faith from you.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never dip your fingers or napkin in the water glass to wipe off a splash or a speck of food.
Reason: br>Rightly so or not, it makes others at the table feel that their water is no longer clean.
Application: br>If you have an accident, excuse yourself to the bathroom where you can dab water on the stain.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not talk about foods you dislike or those to which you are allergic.
Reason: br>Visualizing food that someone detests can ruin a good appetite.
Application: br>Even if hearing others talk about food they are allergic to or dislike does not bother you, refrain from talking that way yourself, for the sake of others.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not wave your fork, knife, or spoon around in the air as you talk.
Reason: br>You could accidentally injure someone and no one wants to watch your food-laden fork waving around in front of them.
Application: br>If you must talk with your hands, do so discreetly with empty hands held close to your face.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t push your plate back away from you when you finish eating.
Reason: br>You give the impression that you are finished and everyone else should be finished, also.
Application: br>When you finish, place your silverware on the plate in a parallel position and sit quietly while others finish their meal. Don?t look annoyed at their slow pace.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never pick your teeth or use dental floss at the dining table or anywhere else in public.
Reason: br>It is disgusting to watch.
Application: br>If you have a problem tooth or something stuck in your braces, excuse yourself to the bathroom to take care of the problem.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Don?t reach across the dining table for the condiments or a dish or platter.
Reason: br>It is rude to reach your arm in front of someone.
Application: br>Quietly ask someone to pass you the butter or whatever it is you need.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Cut only one or two bites of food at a time.
Reason: br>If you cut up all your meat at once, your plate will looks messy and your food will get cold quicker.
Application: br>Pick up your knife in your right hand with the fork in your left. With your knife, cut your food in front of the fork. Don?t saw back and forth. Gently pull the knife toward you.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never touch your head or scratch your body at a dining table.
Reason: br>It makes others fear you may contaminate their food.
Application: br>If you have a persistent itch or your hair needs rearranging, excuse yourself to the bathroom.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not chew food with your mouth open.
Reason: br>It is disgusting to those who must sit across from you.
Application: br>Take small bites and keep your lips together until you have swallowed the food.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When eating remove something from your mouth with the piece of silverware you put it in with.
Reason: br>Your fingers should never go into your mouth except to retrieve a bone.
Application: br>When you get something in your mouth that you cannot swallow, take your left hand and cover your mouth while you use your fork in the right hand to remove a gristle, for instance.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Posture at the dining table is important.
Reason: br>Others have to look at us.
Application: br>Sit up straight with your feet firmly on the floor and with your elbows close to your sides so you don?t ?elbow? the one next to you.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Swallow completely any bite of food in your mouth before drinking from a beverage glass.
Reason: br>Otherwise, you may dribble food or water as you drink.
Application: br>Before taking a sip of water or other beverage, swallow your food and dab your mouth with your napkin so you won?t leave ugly smudges on the glass or cup.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Do not talk with your mouth full of food.
Reason: br>It is most unattractive, not to mention unappetizing.
Application: br>If someone asks you a question while you are chewing, hold up your index finger to indicate that you need a minute to finish swallowing before you answer.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The practice of toasting someone to honor him or her comes from an ancient ritual.
Reason: br>Long ago a piece of toasted bread was dropped into a glass which was then passed around the table for everyone to drink from in someone?s honor.
Application: br>Long ago, the last person to receive the glass was expected to eat the toast in the bottom of the glass. Thank goodness, today, we drink from our own glasses or not at all.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A toast takes place at a meal when someone lifts a glass and says something nice about the person being toasted. There are two types of toasts, one at the beginning of the meal and one just prior to dessert.
Reason: br>The first toast is proposed by the host to welcome everyone. Just before dessert the host may propose a toast to the guest of honor.
Application: br>Everyone but the one being toasted should stand for a toast if possible. The one being toasted may hold a glass, but he or she should not raise it or touch it to the lips. One does not drink a toast to oneself.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When only a fork is needed to eat your dessert, you will find only a fork above your plate with the handle pointing to the right. (Notice this placement is different from when there is a dessert fork and spoon.
Reason: br>Notice that when the fork is on the table without the spoon, its handle is pointed to the right instead of the left because the right hand will use it.
Application: br>Use only a fork for a piece of cake.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When only a spoon is needed to eat your dessert, you will find only a spoon above your plate with the handle pointing to the right.
Reason: br>For ice cream and other soft desserts only a spoon is needed.
Application: br>Pick your dessert spoon up with your right hand. If you are left handed, switch the spoon into your left hand.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The dessert spoon handle should be turned to the right and the dessert fork handle should point to the left.
Reason: br>Positioning the dessert spoon and fork in this way makes it logical to pick them up properly.
Application: br>Pick the spoon up in your right hand, and pick the fork up in your left hand.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The dessert fork and spoon may lie directly above the top of your plate.
Reason: br>There is a rule that says no more than three spoons, or three forks, or three knives can be placed on the table on either side of the plate.
Application: br>When your dessert is served, you may need both the fork and the spoon to eat it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A salad may be properly eaten with a knife and fork today.
Reason: br>At one time the rules said that lettuce should never be cut with a knife.
Application: br>Today, some restaurants serve such large wedges of lettuce that a salad would be inedible if diners could not cut it up.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>While dining, never prop your silverware on a plate or saucer (except the iced teaspoon).
Reason: br>It appears that you have gangplanked your silverware, making them look like the oars in a boat.
Application: br>Always place your utensils securely on the plate for easier lifting when it comes time to remove the plates.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule:
When you are finished eating, place your knife and fork in a parallel position across your plate in the clocklike position of 10:20.
Reason:
It is a signal to the waiter or hostess that you have finished that course.
Application:
Watch your hostess and the others at the table. Gauge the speed of your eating to comply with theirs, so you will not finish long before the others or long after the others at the table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>When you are resting during your meal or planning to reach for your glass or cup, place your knife across the top of your plate with the cutting edge turned inward and the fork simply placed in the clocklike position of 10:20.
Reason: br>As a signal to the waiter or hostess.
Application: br>Placing your utensils this way means that you are not finished eating and do not wish to have your plate taken away.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When someone serves a beverage you do not drink, never turn a glass or cup upside down or cover the cup with your hand to show that you are refusing that beverage.
Reason: br>It is offensive to the host.
Application: br>When a host or waiter offers to fill your glass or cup, simply say, ?No, thank you.? (The waiter often takes away the empty glass so you won?t be bothered again.)
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>You may raise an empty glass to join in toasting someone. It is no longer considered bad luck to toast with water or an empty glass.
Reason: br>Toasting is a kind way of recognizing someone?s accomplishments or honors
Application: br>When a toast is offered simply raise whatever glass or cup you have in front of you.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>You may refuse beverages if you do so in a polite manner.
Reason: br>While it is not proper to refuse food that is set before you, drinking is a personal issue that may be refused.
Application: br>Simply say, ?No, thank you? with no explanation.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>No one?s hands should ever touch the rim of a glass.
Reason: br>Cleanliness.
Application: br>Always pick a glass up and hold it from the stem or from the lower part of a tumbler.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Beverages are served from the right side of the diner.
Reason: br>The glasses are always on the right; therefore, it is practical and safe to fill the glasses from the right.
Application: br>To serve beverages properly, you leave the glass or cup on the table and pour from the pitcher directly into the glass.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In Continental style eating, both utensils remain in their respective hands.
Reason: br>So you can bring the fork, tines down, to your mouth by twisting your left wrist and raising your forearm slightly (The Protocol School of Washington©).
Application: br>Try eating both American style and Continental style, but decide once for all which way you will eat.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To eat in the Continental style, you must keep the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left, which means you must use your knife to push your peas onto the back of the fork tines for eating.
Reason: br>In the Continental style you do not shift the fork from the left hand to the right hand.
Application: br>After your food is cut, use your knife to secure a morsel on your fork by pushing the food with your knife upon the back of the fork with the tines turned downward.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When eating, it is proper to remain with either the American style or the Continental style, but not both during the course of one meal.
Reason: br>Good etiquette requires consistency.
Application: br>Decide which style you are going to master and stay with it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Before 1840 Americans and Europeans ate the same way, with the fork in the right hand. In the mid-nineteenth century, however, the fashionable upper class stopped shifting their forks back and forth between their right and left hands.
Reason: br>In America from the beginning everyone was considered equal with fewer snobbish class distinctions.
Application: br>Today you may confidently use either method and portray neither an air of pretence or pomposity. No matter which style you choose, the key is to facilitate your fork and knife with ease and confidence and to know where to place them on your plate when you finish with each course.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In the Continental style of eating, the knife remains in the right hand and the fork with tines turned downward remains in the left hand.
Reason: br>About 1840 the upper class in England (and later all over Europe) adopted a new way of eating called Continental style.
Application: br>Thankfully today our choice of dining style does not reflect our class, but some people simply find it more efficient to eat using the Continental style, that is, by keeping the knife in the right hand and eating from the inverted fork in the left.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In both the American style of eating and the Continental style, the knife is used in the right hand for cutting. (If you are left handed, put the knife in your left hand.
Reason: br>The knife goes in the dominant hand.
Application: br>If you are using the American style, hold the fork in your right hand with the tines down. Cut with your knife, and then put it down at the top of your plate, blade edge facing inward. Switch the fork to your right hand and hold it as you would a pencil (held between your index finger and middle finger, and secured by your thumb). Then guide the fork with the food into your mouth.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Always lay a table knife down with the cutting edge turned toward the center of the plate.
Reason: br>Long ago men used sticks or sharp knives to spear a chunk of meat.
Application: br>For tradition and for practical use, continue to follow the rule of keeping the cutting edge of a knife turned inward, never outward.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you choose the American style of eating, you will eat with the fork in your right hand.
Reason: br>The American style of eating requires that we cut our meat with the knife in our right hand, then lay the knife down on the plate and switch the fork to the right hand.
Application: br>After you have cut a bite of meat, lay your knife down across the top of your dinner plate and switch the fork to your right hand.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is important to hold your fork and knife correctly, no matter which style you choose ? American style or Continental style dining.
Reason: br>To avoid embarrassment.
Application: br>With both styles of eating, you pick up the knife on the right and the fork on the left. The Protocol School of Washington© teaches proper handling of utensils this way: Open your hands, palms up. Place the fork with tines up in your open left hand. Place the knife with the sharp edge facing the left in your open right hand. Let half of the handle of the fork rest on the palm of your left hand with the remainder resting on your index finger of that hand. Let half of the handle of the knife rest on the palm of your open right hand with the remainder resting on your index finger of that hand.
With your thumb placed over each handle, grasp the fork and knife (in your open palm) and turn your hands over, pointing your left index finger toward the tines of the fork along the handles and pointing your index finger toward the cutting tip of the knife along the handles. Your thumb now will be on the underside of the fork and knife. Your grip is firm and secure grip on them. You are ready to cut.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There are two ways to hold one?s silverware while eating. One is called the American style and the other is the Continental style. Both are correct.
Reason: br>Until about 1840, people in America and people in other parts of the world held their silverware the same way ? with the fork in the right hand. (Later, there will be an explanation of why people in America eat differently from people in other parts of the world.)
Application: br>Learn both styles, but eat with the one you are most comfortable with, remembering not to criticize another person?s style.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents want their children to stand the tests of table etiquette they will face in life.
Reason: br>In their humanity, parents want their children to make them (the parents) look good and to represent the family well.
Application: br>By using this Bible verse, you can put aside any personal motives and seek God?s approval over anyone else?s.
Now we pray to God that you (my child) do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right. II Corinthians 13:7
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Chairs must always be moved back under the table after you exit.
Reason: br>To prevent someone running into it or falling over it.
Application: br>As a gentleman, you alone will replace the chair to its proper place under the table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is still proper for the men to help the ladies rise from their chairs and exit the table.
Reason: br>Some traditions endure for courtesy sake.
Application: br>As a man or young boy you should stand behind the lady?s chair, take hold of the back of the chair, and help the young lady push the chair back so she can exit it. The lady must help move the chair backwards. Usually, the man cannot move the chair without assistance.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you sit down to a meal and the napkin is in a napkin ring, take the napkin out and lay the ring down on the table to your left somewhere.
Reason: br>Any diner would find it difficult to use the napkin if it were left in the ring.
Application: br>Use a fresh napkin at every meal. Long ago, each member of the family had his or her own distinctive napkin ring. Since napkins were used more than once, diners wanted to make sure they had their own previously-used napkin and not someone else?s.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never refold a used napkin.
Reason: br>A napkin is never refolded because you will not re-use it. Long ago, each member of the family had his or her own napkin which was folded at the end of each meal to be used again.
Application: br>Do not refold your napkin because doing so means you plan to use it again, and with today?s modern laundry equipment we don?t have to do that.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you must leave the table for any reason before a meal is finished, you should place your napkin to the left of your place setting. (Some etiquette books say to put your napkin in your chair.
Reason: br>Napkins often become soiled with spots with grease or food. If you put the napkin in your chair, you may soil the seat cushion, and even transfer a smudge to your clothes when you are reseated.
Application: br>When you excuse yourself from the table, simply lift your napkin and lay it loosely (not folded) beside your forks (or the ones that were there) on the left.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never put a napkin in a used plate.
Reason: br>If you put a cloth napkin in a soiled plate, someone has to retrieve it, or it will be discarded with the contents of the plate.
Application: br>Lift your napkin from the center in loose folds and gently lay it on the left side of your place setting with any ugly smudges on the under side.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When the informal, family meal is finished, the hostess (or the mom) signals the time to leave the table.
Reason: br>Everyone should remain at the table until the others have finished eating, unless prior arrangements have been made with a parent (such as ball practice or to cram for a test).
Application: br>As mom (or the hostess) lift your napkin from the center and place it loosely to the left of your dessert plate.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When the dinner plates are removed, the dessert should be served from the left of each diner.
Reason: br>To prevent any mishaps between the server and the diner.
Application: br>The hostess or other family member can prepare the dessert on individual plates and bring them to the table, or that person can set clean dessert plates on the table. Each diner then serves himself or herself as the dessert bowl or tray is passed around the table to the right.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Remove all dishes and glasses from the right side of the diner.
Reason: br>Since the late nineteenth century it has remained proper to serve all dishes to the diners by placing a dish on the table from the left of the diner and to remove it from the right side of the diner to prevent accidents.
Application: br>Teach your family that when everything is served individually, each dish is served from the left to prevent a collision between the diner and a bowl of hot soup. Imagine making the mistake of setting a bowl of hot soup in front of diners from the right as they reach for their drinking glass on the right.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When the informal meal is finished except for dessert, the dirty dinner plates should be removed to the sink or kitchen counter.
Reason: br>To make the table more pleasant looking and to make room for dessert.
Application: br>As the hostess, you may choose to remove the plates or designate a member of the family to do that. Families usually take turns with that chore.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is proper to ask for something on the table that is out of your reach.
Reason: br>The purpose of eating an informal, family meal is to share.
Application: br>Someone seated at the table should now demonstrate how to ask for something on the table. For instance, say, ?Dad, would you please pass the salt?? After receiving the salt, a polite thank you is in order.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At all meals, diners should watch their tablemates to see if they need more of something on the table.
Reason: br>Eating in the company of others should be a pleasure and a privilege, where we look out for one another.
Application: br>Demonstrate to your family how you watch to see if someone at the table needs more bread. Say, ?Sarah, you seem to have finished your roll. Would you care for another one??
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Once a dish of food has made its way around the table one time, the ?pass to the right? rule no longer applies. After that, food is passed the shortest route to the diner who requests it.
Reason: br>For the first trip around the table, food should be passed in one direction. Otherwise, you may have diners trying to balance dishes going and coming in both directions.
Application: br>Show your family how to pick up a bowl and serve themselves and pass it to the right. After everything is passed one time, show how to pass the peas to your neighbor on your left. It would make no sense to pass the peas all around the table for one person.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At an informal meal, food and condiments are passed to the right for their first journey around the table.
Reason: br>You can take the dish with your left hand, serve yourself with the serving spoon or fork in your right hand, and pass the dish on its way around the table.
Application: br>Encourage your family to be responsible for the food set in front of them, teaching them to serve themselves and pass the dish to others.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Food served at informal meals is often placed in large bowls and arranged around the table top.
Reason: br>The informal style lends itself best to passing and sharing with others at the table.
Application: br>Everybody helps themselves to the dish or platter in front of them and passes that dish to the person sitting on their right.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never squirt lemon juice on your neighbors at the table.
Reason: br>You might hit them in the eye.
Application: br>When putting lemon juice in your tea, cover your right hand with the left hand to prevent any unwanted squirts while you squeeze the lemon.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The lemon on the rim of a glass is supposed to be squeezed or simply removed from the glass.
Reason: br>Nothing should be left on the rim of a glass such as lemon or lime.
Application: br>Take the lemon in your right hand to squeeze the juice from the lemon into your tea.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>After preparing and stirring a beverage such as iced tea, the spoon cannot be placed back on the table, nor can it be left protruding upward in the glass.
Reason: br>Silverware should never be placed back on the table. The iced teaspoon is the only eating utensil you can prop. (All other implements are placed securely on a plate.)
Application: br>Show your family how to turn the iced teaspoon (with the bowl side down) and place the tip of the bowl of the spoon on the rim of a plate, with the long handle pointing to the right. A coffee spoon should be placed on the saucer beneath the cup.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At an informal meal, the iced tea or other beverage may need to be prepared.
Reason: br>Unless the beverage is presweetened, it will need to be prepared at the table.
Application: br>Show your family how to take the sugar bowl (with its own spoon) or a packet of artificial sweetener to sweeten the beverage. Sprinkle the sugar or packet contents in the glass and gently stir the beverage. Place the empty paper on the little dish under the glass or on the bread and butter plate, if there is one. If there is no other place for the sweetener packet, tuck one end of the sweetener packet envelope into the other open end and lay the envelope neatly on the table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Thin or cream soup should be sipped from the side of the soup spoon.
Reason: br>Soup spoons are typically large and round making it difficult to insert the spoon in your mouth.
Application: br>Show your family how to hold the soup spoon level with your mouth and sip (don?t slurp) the soup from the side of the spoon. If the soup has chunks of potatoes or broccoli, simply use your teeth to remove them from the soup as you eat from the side of the spoon.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When eating soup, it is proper to scrape the bottom of the spoon across the back rim of the bowl.
Reason: br>Scraping the spoon on the bowl will catch any drips from the spoon.
Application: br>Demonstrate and practice with your family how to dip the soup away from yourself, taking it across the back rim of the bowl.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When eating soup, dip it away from yourself.
Reason: br>By dipping the spoon full of soup away from yourself and bringing the level spoon to your mouth, you will not likely drip soup on your clothes.
Application: br>You may want to teach this little rhyme: As the ship goes out to sea, I dip my soup away from me.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At an informal meal and after the napkin is properly in place, the hostess will pick up the proper fork or spoon to begin eating the meal.
Reason: br>If soup is the first course, she will pick up the spoon.
Application: br>Teach your family how to eat soup by skimming the top of the soup while scooping it away from yourself and across the back rim of the bowl with the soup spoon.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A paper napkin or a small, luncheon napkin is fully opened before it is placed in the lap.
Reason: br>Such napkins are small even when opened completely.
Application: br>Show your family how to fully open and place a small napkin in your lap.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Place the fold of a large dinner napkin in your lap with the fold placed toward your knees.
Reason: br>When you pick up the napkin by the fold, use it to dab your mouth, and replace it in your lap, you will not get a smudge of food or drink on your clothes.
Application: br>Show your family how to lift the napkin from your lap by the folded edge and dab your mouth. Show them that when you replace the napkin, any smudges will be on the top side of the napkin.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Immediately after the meal has been blessed, the hostess should lift her dinner napkin for placement in her lap.
Reason: br>It is the natural order of things.
Application: br>Lift the large dinner napkin and open it halfway before placing it in your lap.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At any meal the first thing the host or hostess should do is ask the appointed person at the table to say grace (the blessing).
Reason: br>Some families take turns.
Application: br>Try passing the privilege of asking the Lord?s blessing on the food from family member to family member. In some families, the father who is the spiritual head of the family, says grace or appoints someone to say it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The informal place setting should have a dinner plate in the center with a knife and a spoon placed the right of the plate and a fork at the left of the plate.
Reason: br>Only the essentials for a simple meal are usually needed for an informal, family meal.
Application: br>Let your children practice setting the table with your help.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Diners must always wait for the hostess to begin eating or wait for her to say, ?Go ahead and eat? before they pick up anything in their place setting.
Reason: br>It is impolite to begin eating before others at the table are ready.
Application: br>Let the mom be the hostess while your family practices at your next family meal.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A place setting, also called the cover, is the way the plates, forks, knives, glasses, and spoons are arranged on the table for each person at the table.
Reason: br>The placement of each piece of silverware is determined by its use.
Application: br>To begin dining, always start from the outside and move inward choosing the proper fork, glass, or spoon in the order in which the food is served. If soup is the first dish served, there will be a soup spoon to the far right of the place setting.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There are at least three styles of dining to teach your children.
Reason: br>One style is called informal or family dining. Another is called buffet serving, and finally there is the formal style.
Application: br>Use the informal, family style dining when everyone is seated around the table and the food is passed in serving dishes.
Use the buffet style when the food is presented on a serving table where the guests usually fill their plates and stand around eating, though it is also proper for them to take their plate of food to a table.
When using the formal style, the hostess or servers bring the dishes of food and beverage in from the kitchen on individual plates and serve each diner individually at the table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>At any meal no one should be seated until everyone is ready to sit.
Reason: br>Out of courtesy and respect for others.
Application: br>Wait until all are standing behind their chairs before being seated at a dining table (or wait until the hostess tells you to sit).
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children may groan and complain while learning the fine art of dining, but when they grow up, they will thank their parents for teaching them. (I know because parents tell me often.
Reason: br>About the time children reach adolescence, they become acutely aware of how their behavior affects the way others see them. (?O would that we could see ourselves as others see us.?) (Robert Burns)
Application: br>As your children grow, look for opportunities to teach them the rules of proper dining, and also look for reasons that will cultivate their desire to learn good table manners. Many examples for dining critiques show up on television and TV characters are open game for judging and critiquing.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When children develop confidence in social skills, especially dining manners, they will be able to focus on others more than self.
Reason: br>With confidence in knowing the rules of dining etiquette, your children can concentrate on having a good time without embarrassing themselves or others.
Application: br>Instruct your children to never embarrass someone by calling attention to another?s dining mistake.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children respond best to learning dining manners when they have a reason or a good incentive.
Reason: br>It?s human nature.
Application: br>For an incentive, reward your children with dinner in a nice restaurant with cloth tablecloths and cloth napkins after they learn certain rules of dining etiquette.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children must be taught how to eat properly so they will have self-confidence in eating in public, which they will surely do.
Reason: br>Children who have confidence in their social skills usually have many friends and opportunities for pleasant experiences throughout life.
Application: br>Praise and commend your child for every good dining habit you see (you may have to look hard). Don?t expect your child to learn too many dining manners in one sitting or in one day. Take one or a few rules at a time until your child has mastered them.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents must model, teach, and remind (not scold) their children about civilized dining. The teaching process will continue throughout childhood, but parents should never give up.
Reason: br>One reason to teach dining manners to your children is to make eating a pleasant experience for others, and to give your children the most practical and logical way to handle food. There are many other reasons including saving your child from embarrassment when he or she is faced with eating dilemmas later in life.
Application: br>Never embarrass your children by scolding them about their eating habits in front of others. Try to have a family meal once a day or once a week if that is possible. Your children will learn from your example, but you may want to send them to a class or teach them from a book such as You Can Raise a Well-Mannered Child or Manners Made Easy by June Hines Moore.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Teach your children that when they exit a car, they should walk around the car so the driver can see them.
Reason: br>Safety.
Application: br>Explain to the child the danger if he or she walks behind a car.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents should teach their children to be responsible in someone else?s car.
Reason: br>Items left in someone?s car can become a burden to the owner, not to mention the clutter.
Application: br>You can have a practice session with your children about leaving someone?s car. For instance, get into your car and ask your children to name as many rules as they can about leaving the car. Remind them to take all their belongings with them when exiting the car, to thank the driver, telling the others goodbye and closing the door gently, but completely.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>All passengers in any car should put on a seat belt.
Reason: br>Safety.
Application: br>The best way to teach your child to put on a seat belt is to wear one yourself.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When riding in someone?s car it is important to sit where you are told to sit and to join in the conversation when you can.
Reason: br>Obeying shows respect for the driver.
Application: br>Show your child how to keep his or her voice low and how to bring up only positive subjects.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Anyone entering a car should greet everyone inside.
Reason: br>Being in the car with others makes for a close environment.
Application: br>Let your children see you greet others when you enter a car or when someone gets into yours.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>Riders should always be appreciative when riding with someone.
Reason: br>Riding in another?s car is usually a privilege and a courtesy.
Application: br>Teach your children and then remind them often to say thank you for the ride when they get out of someone?s car. Give your child extra points for using the driver?s name. For instance, ?Thank you for the ride, Mrs. Evans.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Parents must teach their children the rules of riding in someone else?s car.
Reason: br>Your child is a guest in someone else?s car just as he or she can be a guest in someone?s home.
Application: br>Talk to your children about being well mannered in someone?s car. Explain that they might need the same ride on another day, and they want to be welcome.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Doors should be held open for customers and clients.
Reason: br>We always defer to the customer or client regardless of gender.
Application: br>If you are walking with a client or customer, you may step ahead and say, ?Let me get that door for you.?
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is still the custom for men to open doors for women.
Reason: br>It is a tradition that continues in our society today. The reason men opened doors for ladies in earlier times may have been because of the strength needed.
Application: br>No matter your gender always be ready to open a door for anyone who needs it. Men should open doors for women both socially and in business. If a business woman objects to having doors opened for her, she may simply approach the door and open it before the man gets to it.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Entering a revolving door has rules for men and women.
Reason: br>Revolving doors are usually heavy and somewhat difficult to maneuver.
Application: br>If the door is moving, the man stops the revolving door to allow the woman to enter first. Then the gentleman steps in behind and pushes the door. If the door is stationary, the man steps in first and gets it moving while she steps into the space behind him.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Never let a door slam in someone?s face.
Reason: br>Besides being rude, letting a door close in someone?s face can be dangerous.
Application: br>Always look around you before entering or exiting through a door to see if anyone needs your assistance or your courtesy with the door.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A push door is of course pushed as you go through the doorway. After you have gone through the doorway, you should hold the door open for anyone following you.
Reason: br>If you try to open and hold open a push door for people to enter, you will find it very difficult and awkward as they try to squeeze between you and the door frame.
Application: br>To show your good manners and to be practical at the same time, go through the push door and hold it open when necessary
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The rules for doors are different for various kinds of doors. Some of the rules may not always be obvious.
Reason: br>Some doors are made to pull back toward you before you enter, while others are pushed as you go through them.
Application: br>For pull doors always look behind you to see if perhaps that person should enter the doorway before you. For instance, there might be someone carrying packages.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The person closest to the ?Open door? button on an elevator should hold it until everyone who needs to exit does so.
Reason: br>Holding the ?Open door? button will prevent the elevator doors from forcibly closing on someone trying to exit.
Application: br>If you happen to find yourself near the control panel, always be prepared to push the ?Open door? button and to push any floor numbers given to you by oncoming passengers.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When an elevator is not crowded, it is proper for women and any elderly persons to enter and leave an elevator first.
Reason: br>The gender rule applies here.
Application: br>When entering an uncrowded elevator, males can step to the back of the elevator or stand to one side while the women and elderly exit.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When the elevator is crowded, the individuals standing nearest the door get off first.
Reason: br>There was an old rule that said women and children should always get off first, but that is not very practical when the elevator is crowded.
Application: br>When entering or exiting an elevator, you should make sure your belongings such as a hat or umbrella do not poke others.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Public manners include the rules governing the use of elevators, escalators, revolving doors, and other doors.
Reason: br>The rules help us know what to do when we would otherwise be ill at ease or unsure what action to take.
Application: br>When getting onto an elevator, always stand clear of the open doors and allow the passengers to exit before trying to enter.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>An honest ?Excuse me? is the grease that eases the friction of human interaction.
Reason: br>Those short words are a bumper between bodies on the verge of collision and in public we are always on the verge of interaction with others.
Application: br>Use the words ?Excuse me? even when the offense was made by someone else. For instance, teach your child to say ?Excuse me? when someone bumps into him or her regardless if the offender apologizes. Going out of your way to be polite when you are not obligated to do so improves your image and makes life sweeter.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is rude to tell someone that their breath smells bad.
Reason: br>The person with the foul breath will be terribly embarrassed when someone comments on his or her breath.
Application: br>If the person with the offensive breath is a close friend or relative, discreetly slip a breath mint into his or her hand with no comment. Sometimes when we are in conversation, we must simply back away from the person a little to avoid the mouth odor.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Proper behavior in any bathroom demands that we flush the toilet and properly discard any used paper towels or tissue.
Reason: br>With good manners in our heart, we should desire to leave the bathroom facility clean and neat for the next person.
Application: br>Instruct and demonstrate to your children the proper use of public facilities (as well as private facilities).
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is obligatory to wash one?s hands before leaving a restroom.
Reason: br>The obvious reason regarding germs may not be so obvious or important to a child.
Application: br>Teach your children to wash their hands by demonstrating to them and letting them see you wash your hands. Teach them to use a paper towel or tissue to open the exit/entrance door to the bathroom. Someone before them may not have washed his or her hands and left germs on the door handle.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A necessary part of life is going to the bathroom. There are rules that guide us in public.
Reason: br>No one wants to be reminded of what happens when someone goes to the bathroom.
Application: br>Teach your children to simply say excuse me and exit. Or, if a teacher is present, your child can quietly raise his or her hand or go to the teacher and whisper the reason he or she needs to be excused. It is seldom if ever necessary to say, ?I have to go to the bathroom? for all to hear.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>A name tag should be worn on the right shoulder.
Reason: br>With the name tag on the right shoulder, you can extend your right hand for a handshake, and the person you are greeting can easily see your name by looking from the handshake up your arm to your name tag.
Application: br>Teach your children, as well as yourself, to pin name tags on the right, but never criticize or correct someone who has his or hers pinned on the left.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>To practice proper etiquette in public, we must mind our p?s and q?s.
Reason: br>Long ago when typesetters practiced their craft using their hands, they were very careful when choosing the letters p or q because the distinction between the letters was in the way they were turned.
Application: br>We mind our p?s and q?s in order to not offend others.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you must expel air from your mouth (belch), you should cover your mouth.
Reason: br>Burping is a common human frailty that can also be disgusting in public.
Application: br>Teach your children to refrain from burping if at all possible. If they must, have them cover their mouth and say pardon me. Teach them how impolite it is to talk about the problem, whether it is theirs or someone else?s.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you feel a sneeze or a cough coming on, you should turn your head down and to one side and cover your mouth with whatever you can, even your napkin.
Reason: br>By turning your head down and to one side you will not sneeze on your food or your neighbor.
Application: br>After a sneeze or a cough say excuse me or pardon me.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is proper but not necessary to say ?bless you? or ?gesundheit? when someone sneezes.
Reason: br>There is an old superstition that when the breath in a sneeze leaves the body, the soul may go also.
Application: br>Teach your children about the tradition of saying ?bless you? and teach them to simply say thank you when someone says ?bless you? after their sneezes.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you feel a bout of sneezing coming on, you should excuse yourself and retreat from the group.
Reason: br>A bout of sneezing or coughing can be disturbing, annoying, and offensive to those who feel captive to them.
Application: br>If you (or your child) are in a public place such as church, a meeting, or the movies, and you can?t seem to stop coughing, quietly say excuse me and slip out of the room.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Sneezes should be covered.
Reason: br>Hordes of germs may be scattered onto bystanders if the sneeze is not caught in a tissue or the hands.
Application: br>Make sure your children have tissues with them to catch a sneeze, but also teach them how to turn their head and sneeze into their sleeve or other clothing, so they won?t spread germs to others. Also, teach them to wash their hands often.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>By age five (or about the time they start school) children should be able to understand that what they wear is important.
Reason: br>About school age or before, children become more socially aware.
Application: br>Teach your children how the way they look shows respect or disrespect for the people they are around. Show them how their heroes choose the appropriate attire for their sport or for the beauty contest they want to enter.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In public, you should know the rules about what is not appropriate.
Reason: br>Grooming is a private affair and should be done in privacy.
Application: br>To prevent your own embarrassment, never comb your hair, pick your teeth, or put on makeup in public. Retreat to a public restroom to take care of any grooming needs.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In public, always mind your manners so no one will have to observe your bad manners.
Reason: br>In public, we are always on display.
Application: br>Coach your children in good grooming and proper attire. Ask them to picture their soccer coach coming to practice in hockey gear or in only swim trunks. If you continue to coach your child to brush, comb, and wash, when they reach their teens your job may be complete.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Rule: br>You should stand at least 18 inches from the person with whom you are having a conversation.
Reason: br>Any closer makes people very uncomfortable.
Application: br>Teach your children to have good eye contact, but not to get right in someone?s face when talking to them.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is good manners to make pleasant conversation with other people.
Reason: br>To have friends we need to know how to talk to people about various subjects.
Application: br>Teach your children that if they don?t know what to talk about, to ask a question that requires more than a yes or a no answer. For instance, say, ?I?ve known Mary since she came to our church. How do you know her?? If you say, ?Are you having fun?? the answer will probably be a simple yes or no and then you have to think of something else to say
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In the book of Deuteronomy we are commanded to teach our children proper conduct.
Reason: br>Manner?s were God?s idea first.
Application: br>The first and best way to obey that command is by being a good role model.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>People who require assistance prefer to hold onto our arm, not the other way around.
Reason: br>If we hold onto a person with a disability, we will have little success preventing a fall.
Application: br>Teach your children to offer their arm to someone who might need help. Say, ?Would you like to hold my arm as we cross the street??
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>People with one disability do not automatically have others.
Reason: br>A person with a visual impairment may have a keen ability to hear.
Application: br>Teach your children that when they see a person who obviously cannot see, not to shout because being blind does not make that person deaf.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>It is proper to ask individuals with a disability if they would like your help.
Reason: br>To ask if you might help is better than saying, ?Oh, you might get hurt.
Application: br>For example, if your children see someone in a wheel chair having trouble maneuvering, teach them to ask if the individual would like some help. Explain to your children that some people with disabilities prefer to do everything for themselves, no matter how difficult the task.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The proper words used when speaking of people who are physically challenged have changed.
Reason: br>People with disabilities want to be treated as much as possible like people who have no limitations.
Application: br>Teach your children not to say a person is disabled, but to speak of a person with a disability or limitation. Explain that we should always think of the person first and then his or her disability.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Well-mannered people remember that pointing can be impolite ? sometimes.
Reason: br>No matter where we point, others will think we are pointing at them.
Application: br>Teach your children never to point at another person and make a funny remark, such as, ?Look at that man with the crooked walk.? It is permissible to point out a specific object like a building when someone asks for directions.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There are some special rules for visiting a museum.
Reason: br>You are probably with a lot of other people who want to enjoy the exhibit as much as you.
Application: br>Keep your voice low at all times, walk and never run, stay with the family, stay with your group?s guide and don?t go wandering off with another group because you like the other guide better. Be careful to read and obey the ?Do not touch? signs, and thank the guide when your tour is over. Tips are not necessary in museums.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>In public places there are rules for audience participation, especially for children.
Reason: br>You don?t want the other adults to cringe when they see you enter with your children.
Application: br>See that you and your children don?t kick the seats in front of you, prop your feet near someone?s head, leave your seat repeatedly to go to the concession stand or to the bathroom, talk throughout the movie or the performance, sigh and groan when you approve or disapprove, or sniffle without a tissue throughout the program.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There is a proper way to applaud.
Reason: br>Applause performed incorrectly sounds like slapping.
Application: br>Clap with the fingers of one hand into the palm of the other hand.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>There are rules about applauding in public places.
Reason: br>At the ballet, applause comes at the conclusion of a dance or a scene.
Application: br>Look up various arts in an encyclopedia or go online to learn the particulars of whatever type artistic performance you and your children plan to attend.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>When you attend an artistic performance, don?t hum, fidget, or jangle jewelry, tap with your fingers, open and snap purses, jackets, or daytimer notebooks.
Reason: br>Disturbing others is very selfish.
Application: br>Leave the daytimer notebook at home and turn off your cell phone.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>If you are attending an artistic performance and it has begun, do not enter until an usher says you may.
Reason: br>Patrons have purchased expensive tickets, and they have arrived on time, trying not to disturb.
Application: br>If for some unavoidable reason you and your family have been detained and are late to a performance, wait in the foyer or the outer hall until you are told you may enter. When you do enter, be careful to say excuse me and try not to step on others? feet.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Education about the fine arts begins at home. Children should have the opportunity to experience and learn to enjoy fine music, art, and literature.
Reason: br>Such an education will enrich any child?s life.
Application: br>Take your children to museums, art galleries, and exhibits. Rent videos or CDs of performances such as The Nutcracker. Read classic children?s stories to your children. Go to the Children?s Theatre to see such plays as Little Women.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>Children should be taught good sportsmanship at home by playing games.
Reason: br>Their lives will be filled with opportunities of give and take, win and lose.
Application: br>At home and in public set a good example of tolerance, patience, and cooperation. Sore losers do not make good teachers.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.Rule: br>The rules of athletic etiquette produce good fan conduct and good sportsmanship.
Reason: br>Most of the rules are for our safety.
Application: br>Let your children observe you practicing these necessary guidelines regarding any sport: Arrive on time. Stay seated unless everyone stands so that fans behind you can see. Take your proper place in the concession line. Never push and shove. Walk slowly with the group. Don?t shout insults at the opposing team.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
FamilyLife's Passport2Purity guides parents and preteens on an adventure to maturity.
|
Customer Service: 1-800-FL-TODAY (1-800-358-6329)
Mon - Fri 6:30am - 10:00pm (CST) | Sat 8:00am - 10:00pm (CST) | Sun 12:00pm - 10:00pm (CST)
Copyright 1996-2010 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.


