Voices heard inside the theater while watching a movie or a play can be such a distraction. Be a "Silent Sam" and be a good example. People talking too loud or goofing around may not know how noisy they sound. If it doesn't stop, call an usher or nicely ask, "I am having trouble hearing the show/movie. Would you mind not talking until it's over? Thanks".
Wrongly accused of something you did not do? It feels awful. Sometimes it's by a teacher, a relative, or even a stranger. In a calm and positive way, kids can use the following, "I need to tell you that I did not do what you said. It's important to me that you know the truth. There is a mistake here and I would like you to hear what really happened".
"X-cuse me" helps the bruise feel better. If you bump into someone, always say "Excuse Me" - even if it happened so fast that you're not sure who bumped into whom. This is a nice way to let the person know it was an accident and not done on purpose. "Excuse me - I hope you're not hurt"
Younger brothers and sisters like doing what the bigger kids are doing. It might seem pesty to you now, but you were their age once. Try to be nice to your siblings when you have friends over and work out a plan that makes everyone happy. Maybe it sounds like this: "Mindy and Matt how about you play this game with us now, then you can play with your own puzzles while Jason and I build this tricky wood tower".
Zig-Zag your social conversations. That means 'go back and forth' letting everyone have a chance to get their opinion voiced. No one likes a 'dominator' - a person who takes over, interrupts others why they are in the middle of a scentence, and talks non-stop. Be polite and take a breath in-between thoughts and hear what someone has to say.
About Louise Elerding
Louise Elerding is the author of the award-winning series of books entitled 'You've Got Manners!" Her latest book entitled "You've Got Respectful Manners!" joins "You've Got Manners!" and "You've Got Social Manners!"
A grandmother of five, each a member of her "Polite Team of the World," Louise has assumed the role of 'Super Nanny' for children's manners and etiquette. Her series of books, that also includes a deck of Manne Rummy and Flash Cards entitled "Pass the Manners Please!" as well as "The Manners & Teachers Curriculum" for consultants and schools, are devised through and for the eyes of children.
"You've Got Manners!" was conceived on a family road trip and vacation across Canada in the summer of 2002. To pass the time, three generations of Elerdings played a game of naming and playing with table manners in their family mini-van to pass the time and have fun. On that 1,000 mile trip, 'You've Got Manners!" was born. Inspired by her mother, Elmira "Myrto" Fleury - a true lady in every way - Louise set about putting pen to paper and wrote her first book in a week. She set about putting together in alphabetical order a fun and easy way to learn how to have great table manners…whether at home or in public. Children are even awarded with a certificate - entitled 'I've Got Manners!" - on completion of the book.
Brilliantly colored and illustrated, the series of books are a terrific gift idea for children, and have a broad appeal in particular as a resource among parents and grandparents alike. Polly Politely and Milton manners, two friendly spokeskids, take children on a manners adventure as they learn multiple ways of being polite and considerate at the table. Louise has a thriving online community with a virtual manners test and in particular a 'Polite Team Membership'. "You've Got Manners!" has also formulated in to an interactive opportunity for audiences, with a specially designed curriculum that in turn has spawned a series of etiquette and manners classes. Louise's dream is that a vast number of "Official Manners Messengers" in every city across the country and indeed around the world are established, each following her curriculum and inspiring children to be as polite as possible.
Website: www.youvegotmanners.com
