So here’s a wrap of the day: we get up and freshen up ... well, some of us do while some don’t even bother washing your face because hey, it’s the holidays, right? But for the sake of the family, you must.

Anyway, the day goes on with munching breakfast or snacks, lounging lazily on the couch, watching TV, scrolling endlessly through your (or your mother’s)phone, and maybe heading out to meet friends in the evening and grabbing lunch or dinner. Then night falls, and just like that, the day is gone!

But here’s the thing, throughout the day, while doing chores or even when doing nothing, there’s one thing we must carry with us in every tiny action we do — manners. They’re not just for when guests come over, or when your teacher is watching you. Manners are something we live by, something that become part of us. They make us civilised. They make us… us.

So let’s not forget and keep practicing good manners all day, every day until they become engraved in our nature so firmly that we don’t even have to think twice. It just flows out of us naturally, like blinking or breathing.

Start with the basics!

You know those two tiny words that feel like lifting ten bricks when you’re not in a mood? Yeah, those are “Thank you” and “Sorry.” Use them often. For instance, if someone handed you a glass of water, say “thanks”. Someone shared their charger and saved your phone from a tragic death, say “thanks”.

You accidentally spilled your cousin’s juice, say “sorry”. Not a fake, teeth-gritting sorry. A real one. Even if you’re only 30 percent sorry and 70 percent feeling it’s not your fault. That 30 percent matters. Even when you think he’s your best buddy and there is no need to show good manners. There still is!

Elders first!

Hey, if you see an elder coming and you’re lounging like a potato on the only seat available, get up. Yes, I know the seat has adjusted to your body and it’s perfectly warm now and you really don’t want to get up. But manners mean you stand up. You’re not a statue, so move!

Elders first. Even if they don’t notice, or even if they say, “Beta, it’s okay, you sit.” You must not keep sitting, so stand up whether they sit or not. That’s respect. That’s class. That’s being a humble human.

Passing comments!

Kids and teens today cannot stop commenting on people’s appearances, as if it’s their duty to give opinion or pass judgement. They carelessly say, “You look darker,” “You’ve gained weight,” etc.

If someone hasn’t asked for your opinion, then zip your mouth for unwanted and uninvited comments. People have faces, not whiteboards for your opinion. If the words are not kind or helpful, don’t say them. Say something nice or better have a glass of water!

Knock, knock! No, it’s not a joke!

Unless you are living in a jungle, knock before entering someone’s room — your brother, sister, parents or whoever is there. Remember, you’re not a ghost, doors exist for a reason.

Imagine someone barging into your room while you’re mirror dancing or trying Bugs Bunny voiceover. It’s not funny, right?

A clean language

Tweens and teens explore the world in a different way, everything feels like fun and adventure to them, so do the words and their language.

If your sentence has more ‘beep-worthy’ words than actual words, then maybe it’s time to pause. Using foul language doesn’t make you sound smart or bold, it just makes people want to hand you a mouthwash.

Words are powerful, but only when you use them right. So pick the ones that make people smile, not cringe.

Hygiene, it’s a real thing

Hygiene is necessary. Wash your hands like you just touched a cockroach, before eating, after eating, after using toilet, you know the rest of the drill. And it becomes even crucial if you touch anything remotely disgusting such as the doorknobs, especially the public-use doors.

You have no idea how many germs are there on a doorknob, if you see them with your naked eye, chances are you’ll prefer breaking the door open then using the doorknob.

Gross sounds are just that — gross!

Sneezing or coughing is natural, but don’t do that volcano eruption thing into your palm. That’s gross. Keep a tissue in your pocket, or cover your mouth with the inside of your elbows, (remember the Covid-19 days?).

And burping? If the burp sneaks out real quietly, that’s fine. But if you let one out like a lion roaring for attention, sorry, there should be no mercy on you. That’s just plain uncivilised.

And just so you know that the burp has a peculiar stink to it, make sure you are not disgusting the people around you, so always turn your face to any other side or cover it.

How loud can you get?

Crunch, crunch! Chomp, chomp! Do you think the world needs to hear every bite you are taking? No, no one wants to hear it.

And that nasty, squelchy chewing gum sound? If you’re doing it without realising and by chance you’re reading this, please know: it sounds gross. Seriously. Why would you want everyone around you to know you can chew like a construction site?

Yes, some foods are naturally noisy, we get it. But here’s the catch, if you eat politely, like an actual human and not a cartoon character, you’ll notice something magical …. oh wow, there was barely a sound. Imagine that!

Table manners count!

At home, it feels good to be casual and free of restrictions, but it’s always good to follow some manners so that you keep them with you wherever you go.

And if you’re at a restaurant, you must eat on the table like a civilised homo sapiens. Try using utensils, because that’s what they’re there for and not just for decoration.

Whether you are at home or outside, always ask for the dishes politely, instead of shouting “Oye, hand that!” and if someone asks for something that is close to you, don’t take it as a life-threatening mission. Just pass it.

One last thing, when you’re asked to do something, don’t grumble like a rusty machine. Don’t drag your feet like someone stole your dreams, just do it.

Manners make you decent and unforgettable. Because that’s how a real cool dude! But if you’re reading this while chewing chips and your sibling just sneezed without covering, go hand the kid a tissue!

You’re already better than half the planet.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 28th, 2025