Tag: polite

Talking about manners seems sort of redundant and well, obvious. But it’s not as obvious as one would think. I work in an elementary school and I am surprised, almost daily, at the lack of manners.

Many kids do not reciprocate when they are greeted with "good morning!" or "hello." If they even look at you, they don’t miss a beat and continue on their way. I, myself, stop them and remind them that when someone greets you, the polite thing to do is respond back.

If you feel that your stress levels are constantly rising, you’re in good company. I used to be a busy, stressed-out professional who didn’t have time for anyone—and then I was laid off from my job. Being in such a vulnerable position made me realize what it felt like to be the person who couldn’t get anyone to call back, and who felt like the world was against him.

During the process of getting back on my feet, there were certain people who stood out from the crowd because they purposefully helped to build me up—or gave me a break when I needed it the most. I realized that to be really meaningful, acts of compassion don’t have to be grand gestures.

When everyone is saying, "Ho, ho, ho," how do you say, "No, no, no?" The holiday season is in full swing and you may find yourself having difficulty saying "no" to a party invitation, a drink or a decadent dessert. A little finessing can help make, "No thank you" a bit more palatable. Here are a few of my tips:

How to Decline an Invitation

1. While it is not necessary to give a lengthy reason for not attending, it is important to give a sincere, "I'm so sorry that I am going to have to miss your party, it sounds like it is going to be loads of fun" or, "Thank you for thinking of me but, unfortunately, I have already committed to another event." A good host will not continue to pry or make you feel guilty.