It’s Time We Did Away With (Some) Manners
Before we begin—this isn’t a love letter to bad manners. We’re all for some classic moves like “please” and “thank you” or treating the staff with kindness. However, times have changed, and not everything we learned as kids makes sense. With that, let's dive into 10 silly manners we can finally ignore and 10 we should always practice.
1. Wearing Hats Indoors
Back in the day, it was deemed rude to wear a hat indoors or at the dinner table. Nowadays, people don’t care as much. Though some formal occasions call for removal, we promise not to judge your character on whether or not you wear a beanie in the house.
2. Elbows Off the Table
It’s a rule people remain divided on—do elbows have a place on the table? Call us crazy, but we never understood this one. It’s one thing to flap your wings at the dinner table, but resting your arms on the table doesn’t make you rude, and it certainly doesn’t warrant punishment.
3. Cover Letters
Cover letters aren’t exactly everyday manners, but they’re still an outdated form of business etiquette. We’d love to do away with such an arbitrary addition to an already arduous process. Most employers don’t read them, they add nothing to a resume, and they exacerbate the stress of job-hunting.
4. Men Pay for Meals
We’re not in the dark ages anymore! Couples can split the bill however they want; men don’t need to jump on the check every time. It’s fine to pick up the tab if you want, but it’s a little archaic to just assume men will front the cost.
5. Waiting to Eat Your Food
Great news! Your steak is here, prepared just the way you want it and served with roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables—but you can’t eat it. No one can eat until everyone has their food. Look, we get the sentiment, but it’s a bit nuts to let good food go cold.
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6. An Abundance of Dishes
No, no. You mustn’t eat your salad with that fork. Hang on. Don’t eat salad from that bowl. Thus goes the endless cycle of using certain dishes to avoid a scolding. It’s Friday night dinner, not Buckingham Palace, and we’re prepared to sink our flag on this hill.
7. Formal Titles
Addressing people as “sir” or “ma’am” isn’t really a thing anymore—nor should it be. First names are fine and it’s actually a bit weird to address your boss as “sir” nowadays. You can still show respect and call your manager by their first name.
8. Standing to Greet Women
We’re with Dwight Schrute on this one. Unless Judge Judy walks through that door, there’s no reason to stand when women enter the room. This might have been the norm back in the day, but it’s way too pretentious now.
9. Handshakes
Not everyone wants a handshake. Not even today’s employers expect them like they used to. Good! It’s perfectly normal to greet someone with words instead of shaking someone’s potentially germ-filled palm. Handshakes still have their place but it’s not the end of days to pass them up.
10. Saying “Bless You”
You’ll often hear “bless you” or “excuse me” after sneezing, but neither is necessary. Religion aside, some people find it weird that an uncontrollable bodily function is acknowledged at all—and we can’t say we blame them.
None of this is to encourage a lack of manners! In fact, we’re big fans of some of the classics, so let’s explore them together.
1. “Please” and “Thank You”
There’s a reason “please” and “thank you” have withstood the test of time. These simple words hold a lot of meaning, and they’re great indicators of good manners. Politely asking for a glass of water or thanking someone for clearing the table shows your appreciation—and keeps you in our good books.
2. Don’t Interrupt Others
We can’t say it enough: stop interrupting people. There’s nothing worse than talking to someone who can’t wait to cut in. It’s even worse when you forget your train of thought. We’re taught from a young age not to interrupt, so remember the rule!
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3. Eat With Your Mouth Closed
From slurping soup to open-mouthed chewing, we’re not barn animals. Eating with your mouth open sounds, looks, and is gross. No one needs to see that mouthful of mashed potatoes at the dinner table.
4. Walk on the Side of Traffic
We know this one’s a bit outdated, but we go gaga for gentlemen. We’ll always love a guy who walks on the side of traffic—the odds of anything happening are pretty slim, but the gesture makes us feel nice and protected.
5. Give Up Your Seat
When you see someone older or pregnant, it’s common courtesy to give up your seat. We know it’s a pain to stand for twenty minutes, but imagine how a pregnant woman feels wobbling on her aching feet. If you’re able, it’s just good manners.
6. Hold the Door Open
This one can be a bit finicky, but we’ll vouch for it anyway. If someone is directly behind you, it only makes sense to hold the door for them. On the other hand, don’t hold it open too early and force them to run—that just annoys everyone.
7. Stay Off Your Phone
There’s really no reason to check your phone at the table. There’s no reason to put it on speakerphone either. Phones belong in your pocket whenever you’re with friends; enjoy life outside the screen a little.
8. Be Kind to Employees
Basic manners mean basic kindness. Don’t lose your cool on everyday retail workers and definitely start a screaming match. In the end, you’re the only one who looks foolish when those poor people are just trying to do their jobs.
9. Tipping
You might not like it, but tipping is still a common courtesy. While you don’t need to keep up with today’s demands, a quick tip acknowledges a job well done and shows appreciation to the staff. If anything, it’s even worse to skip the tip on large bills.
10. Wash Your Hands
You’d think this goes without saying, but every day someone leaves the bathroom without touching the sink. Many people cough or wipe their noses too. Hand sanitizer goes a long way, so keep clean before you ask for that outdated handshake.
