The Magic Word
Manners are like a key that opens social doors. Whether you were born with or without money, it isn’t education, but manners that can level the playing field. These are five manners that your teen must perfect while living with you or they’re going to have a tough time in the real world. 
1. Please
Please is truly a magic word. When it is added to a request people are more likely to respond. Please lets others know that your teen understands no one has to do anything for them, but they would certainly appreciate it if they could. Sometimes it is just that understanding that makes a person want to do something for someone.
2. Thank you
Please may be the magic word, but it is thank you that allows you to ask someone for another favor. It isn’t just saying, “Thank you” either. Thank you can also be shown through your teen’s behavior. For example, someone gives your teen the opportunity of a lifetime and they work hard to prove they deserved it rather than slacking off. This is also a “Thank you.” Your teen should know to say thank you when someone has extended themselves, but they should also be aware of writing thank you notes, or e-mails, the gesture of thank you by returning a favor or offering something in return by way of a small gift or helping out. These are also ways your teen can learn to say, “Thank you.” This ability to say thank you is so important because in life people are more likely to be generous when they feel they’re appreciated. This is an important concept to understand, and if your teen understands it early they will reap the benefits of being considered a grateful person and everyone feels good about doing something for someone who is grateful even if it might inconvenience them.
3. Complimenting
The art of giving a compliment is bigger than being someone who wants to brown nose or charm their way through the door. No, it is the ability to be a positive presence by adding a positive spin on their surroundings or just being gracious for example, someone shows your teen a photo of their new grandson and perhaps he is not the cutest baby your teen has ever seen, but your teen is still able to say, “He is a handsome baby. You must be very proud.” It’s a way that someone can recognize your teen works well with others and is someone others want to be around. Mind you, this is not about being dishonest so if a friend wants an honest opinion on their new haircut well, lay it on ‘em!
4. Respecting other’s space
When your teen is in someone else’s space there is a certain respect that’s due for example, knocking on a closed door. This shows respect for the privacy of other’s in their space. It also shows that your teen knows they’re not the only one that is important and their needs don’t supersede that of others.
5. Respecting others
A simple way you can teach your teen to respect others is by teaching them to look at the person who is speaking to them. This is one way they convey they’re listening by establishing this eye contact. As the person is speaking to them if they’re able to listen without interrupting this too can establish respect for the person with whom they’re speaking. Finally, when your teen waits their turn to speak they show they aren’t more important than anyone else, but as important.
Yes there are other manners that your teen will hopefully learn like the table manners (e.g. not chewing with their mouth open and not chewing loudly), but the manners above top the list when it comes to interacting with others and having others want to work with your teen.
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