The Do Right List

Good manners are great gifts we give our children and one another. “Hello,” “thank you,” and “goodbye” are words that may garner a good response or crimp a smile on the face. Besides encouraging good manners, I generated a “Do Right List” of a few things that are just plain right to do.

We taught our children many on this list:

Answer the telephone with “Hello, this is ____, may I help you?”
When using the restroom, close the toilet seat and flush the toilet, and wash your hands and wipe the sink off after use.
Send a thank-you note when you’ve received a gift or been someone’s guest.
Address adults by their last names unless given permission otherwise by the adult.
Arrive on time to functions.
Remember to R.S.V.P. to an invitation on or before the requested due date.
Present a host/hostess gift when attending a function in someone’s home.
When dining in someone else’s home, wait for the host/hostess to begin his/her meal before eating.
Chew food with your mouth closed and avoid speaking with food in your mouth.
As you first enter a room/gathering, greet everyone with a “hello.”
When meeting someone, firmly shake the person’s hand . . . don’t forget to make eye contact.
Young ladies: Smooth your dress/skirt when sitting and carefully cross your legs at the ankles.
Keep posture straight while sitting and walking.
Wait patiently rather than interrupting a conversation. If you must speak, “Excuse me” is the proper way to interject.
As an overnight guest in a home, be sure to make your bed and pick up your things.

I know this all may sound old-fashioned, but some common sense things are just right to do. A “Do Right List” makes sense in the adult world, yet it begins by teaching our children early!