Newsletter Spring 2023 Good Manners for Children, a Refresher for the Class of 2023

Mr. Leonard A Rich

As the class of 2023 stands at the precipice of adulthood, I wish to remind you of the good manners we taught you as children that may come in handy in your adult life. In today’s world, it has become all too commonplace to be ill mannered with one another.

Be kind - As you grow into adulthood, take the opportunity to help those in need. Kindness is often reciprocated. Give kindness to the world and reap its benefits.

Speak the truth - Honesty is valued. It has been my experience that people are more appreciative in the long run of hard honest truth as compared to a flattering lie. If you always tell the truth, you don’t have to remember your lies.

Listen with patience - The good Lord gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth, use them proportionately. Before you respond, digest what you have heard. Hearing is one of the 5 senses. Listening is a skill. Listening with patience is an advanced skill.

Respond politely - Even when you are tempted to respond differently, be polite. Be most polite to those who are perhaps being the most impolite. Be the standard. Rise above.

Apologize when you make a mistake - May you only make half as many mistakes as the previous generation, but you are going to make mistakes. Own the mistake. Own the accountability. You will be able to make amends for a mistake in a much more timely fashion, if you get out in front, say you were wrong, and express remorse.

Be respectful to your elders - Filial piety is a Confucion concept. Acts of filial piety include obeying one's parent's wishes, taking care of them when they are old, and working hard to provide them with material comforts, such as food, money, or pampering. Remember, your parents may have a reason why they are directing you. Perhaps they are passing on their wisdom to you based on their experience.

Refrain from coarse language - From my own experience, course language deadens the message and does not reflect well on the messenger. Swearing is associated with anger, hate, violence.

Be grateful - Showing appreciation never goes out of style. You can never be overly gracious. Tonight thank your parents for their unconditional love. Take the opportunity to thank those who are here to celebrate with you.

Currently there is not much that is “united” in these United States. Be a unifier. Be principled. Follow the example that your parents have laid out for you. Use your manners. By using our manners, we can communicate effectively. By using our manners we can disagree, without being disagreeable. Our manners allow us to be more than right, we can be effective in any situation or environment.

The future is yours. Congratulations on the milestone of high school graduation. Take your diploma and your manners and go do great things!