With the advancements of science and health care,we are allowed to live a life easier than ever before.However,we have also to sustain substantial pressure which ensues from the sharp increase of population,scientific innovation,rampant entertainment activities and all-pervasive news as well as a redefinition of the family.It is the pressures of the modern society that leads to the degeneration of people’s behavior which can be revealed from the rise of crimes.
What is this era calling for? New guidelines for civil conduct are urgently needed in a time when their significance is undermined.It is true that a more casual approach to dressing,communicating,and entertaining has taken hold,but that is hardly something to be concerned about.The history of human interaction is one of change and manners should keep up with the changing times.In spite of tremendous hurdles,unceremonious occasions and unknown surprises that we may encounter,today’s guidelines will adjust our behavior in daily life.In fact,we need manners more than ever.
Nowadays,people adjust their behavior in accordance with different occasions and the anticipations,nevertheless,the basic elements of manners,i.e.common sense,magnanimity as well as many concrete norms remain unchanged,which will better guide us in social interaction.Flexible as manners may be,the main principles of manners have been as solid as bedrock—respect,consideration,honesty,graciousness,and deference.
■Respect
Respecting a person means that you acknowledge his/her value as a human being,irrespective of his/her origin,race or religion.A respectful person would treat a salesman,a waiter or an office assistant equally.Respect is demonstrated in our day-to-day relations—by refraining from belittling others for their opinions and ideas,refusing to laugh at sexist or racist jokes,putting prejudices aside,and staying open-minded.
Equal importance should be attached to self-respect.A self-respect person,instead of bloating himself,feels confident about himself and awakes potentials in others.He/She puts reputation in the first place and believes in himself/herself for he/she knows where his/her strength lies.