I agree Kim, I was one of those parents that worked my azz off and stayed involved with my kids lives, every part of it while I watched others push it off on others, including me while their kid was at my house for days at a time cause they didn't want to deal with em. All we can do is our best. eh, your cousin is only 10..give him a few years. My boys are pretty good kids..even so if they don't agree with me, they let me know. I have always given them the freedom to do that though, some parents don't. All we can do is our best.

Funny, I've never had a guy complain when I opened the door for them. They might not walk through it, and usually reach behind and grab it so I go through first, but they still say thanks, and smile.

I think women who get pissy about it ARE stupid, and it really irks me. I appreciate it, and thank the person. If it's a date, it's usually a game, with laughter.

It works both ways, and being polite is the whole of it all.

My nephew is the opposite. My sister and her husband always teach respect and such. My nephew is a good kid but does his own thing at school regardless of the rules.

So I know not all kids are the same.

I think it's silly too..hell, my 15 year old opens doors for everyone, not just women.
I keep hearing these stories about these women who get pissy and snotty when men are polite..opening doors, etc. I have to say I personally have never met one of these women. In my 49 years and living all over the country I have yet to meet a woman who gets pissed when a man opens a door for her. I really don't think it's the norm.

I agree. To me it's common courtesy. If I see someone coming to a door and I'm right there, then I will hold it open. this thread is what gave me the idea for my common thread.

When my brother was about 10, he had opened the door for us, mom, dad, and myself, at the mall. We thanked him going in, and 10 other people dashed through the door. Not a single person thanked him. Mom VERY loudly said THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT, SON, AND IT"S TOO BAD MANNERS ARE LACKING! The last two people apologized and turned around and thanked him.

I wasn't saying anything negative about your opinion, Rose. I was just showing another possibility.

My child's school reminds the children of their manners. I've seen them thank the man that serves them lunch. My child had a birthday party yesterday. When the children were leaving the party, they thanked me for inviting them.

my mom tutored in an urban elementary school... one of the things she did was to refer to the boys as master(mister is for elders) and the girls as miss,,,the kids really seemed to gain a level of self respect and respect for each other when they adapted to calling each other those simple titles....

little things can make a HUGE difference in how children perceive themselves and how they treat others.

I was talking with my neighbor and she has a couple grand children in Elementary School...They are teaching the kids proper hygiene. The washing of hands, covering of the mouths when coughing and sneezing, EXT....They have hand sanitizers everywhere and the kids are "ENCOURAGED" to use them...My kid is grown but I think this is GREAT!!!!!

Schools are a "LOCAL" issue and should remain that way...If you don't like whats happening in your schools...GET INVOLVED, I like our schools and have NEVER had a problem with them...

As far as the OP I wouldnt have a problem with it in our school system!!!!

Manners, my friend, are not something that can be taught at home and only at home. They can not be taught at school and only school either. Manners are taught by everybody a person comes in contact with, whether it is their parents, a teacher, a peer.....

From what I have seen of your responses so far, you are a good example of someone having learned "bad" manners from those around him. But then again, I am not in your area so I do not know what is acceptable manners for your location.

I was raised to open doors for a lady, never spit where a lady can see me, hold her chair for her as she sits (in order to make sure it does not slide back and land her on her derriere). I was also raised that it is only POLITE to pick your date up for the first time with a bouquet of flowers, or a box of candy, something small as a token of your affection.

I still do all these things today, and I raise my children the same way. I do not open the door because she can't; I do not hold her chair because she is incapable of holding it herself. I do so to be polite. Just this afternoon, while I was checking on a job application, I excused myself from the boss to hold the door open for a customer that had her arms full. You know what? The boss told me point blank to expect a call next week when interviews are scheduled. Was i thinking about that when I excused myself? No. I was thinking the lady might appreciate someone getting the door for her so she didn't have to try and hold three people dinners in one hand and arm while pulling on a heavy door.

Even with my ex-wife, who a lot of people on ere can tell you I hold NO respect for, I hold the car door for her, or a building door. If we take the children out to eat together I pull her chair out for her, even though I do not like being near her, and can not stand her half the time. I still SHOW respect, especially around my children.

So as I said in the beginning, Manners are not something that is taught exclusively at home, or in school or even at church, etc. they are taught by all those around you; by those who look the other way when a man tells a lady to go to blazes, or refuses to give up his seat for a lady or the elderly, just as much as they are taught by those who show better manners.

Just food for thought.

Who are you to say I have bad manners? You don't know me and I would appriciate it if you wouldn't assume things about me.

It's my opinion that teachers have enough to teach kids without having to teach kids manners. If they want to incorporate somthing like that in schools it should be like an extra curricular activity.

Considering this class was on the past this teacher was able to incorporate it into the class as part of the lesson. It is not being instituted into the school.

It is not mandatory nor a requirement. What is the big to-do with teaching someone to treat others politely and courteously (both males and females). If it's not taught at home I for one am glad that these kids are exposed to it at school, beats other things they learn (can learn) en route to and from school.

Hey Fran

I agree with you...You know my feeling on schools...My kid, My school, My community..

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
no wonder they can't pass a lit . test with out a curbe .there's no time for the 4 r's

They dont have a problem here maybe you should get involved in your 'LOCAL" schools...It might do you some good!!!!!

If "we" continue to look for excuses as to why people don't do well, why try???

Fortunately, there are parents out there who are teaching their children good manners. Last night, I was leaving a parking lot and stopped to let a family walk in front of my car. I had my window down a little and heard the mother say thank you, then tell her little girls (probably 3 or 4 years old) to say thanks as well. They did so and waved.

I am saddened by some of the comments on this thread. This teacher saw inappropriate behavior in his classroom. Instead of sending students to detention or other forms of punishment, he decided to influence their behavior by modeling manners and ettiquette. I don't see anything wrong with this. I personally think very highly of this teacher for thinking outside of the box!