November 30, 2024 • 10 mins
What are the real benefits of practicing good manners, beyond simply pleasing your parents? Join us on "I Wonder" as we unpack the powerful role that manners play in shaping respectful interactions and creating a positive atmosphere. We journey through time, exploring how manners evolved from ancient societies, highlighting their enduring role in preventing misunderstandings. We event talk about how polite behavior enhances social bonding and happiness by triggering feel-good chemicals.
What's Your Wonder?
Is there something you’ve been wondering about that you think would make a great episode of I Wonder? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your question through our website, and you might just hear it featured on an upcoming episode!
www.iwonderpodcast.com
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
I Wonder Podcast Host (00:03):
Hey there , curious minds, welcome to, I
Wonder, the show where weexplore the questions you've
been wondering about.
Today's question comes from amom who wrote in and asked why
is it that I have to constantlytell my kids that it's important
to have good manners?
Wow, such a relatable question.
If you're a kid listening rightnow, you might have heard
(00:26):
adults say things like sayplease and thank you, don't
interrupt or be polite.
But have you ever wondered whymanners are such a big deal?
Is it just your parents beingannoying, or is there more to it
?
Let's dive into the world ofmanners to see why they matter,
why grown-ups keep reminding usabout them and where some of
(00:47):
these customs even came from.
Let's start with the basics.
Manners are a way of showingrespect and consideration for
other people.
When we say please and thankyou or hold the door open for
(01:08):
someone, we're showing kindnessand thinking about how our
actions affect others.
Good manners are like the rulesof respect that help everyone
get along better.
They make conversationssmoother, show that we
appreciate each other and createa more positive atmosphere
wherever we are at home, atschool or out in the community.
(01:29):
Having good manners doesn'tmean you have to act like a
grown-up or do things that feelunnatural.
Instead, it's about being awareof how your actions make other
people feel and finding ways tomake those feelings positive.
But where did they come from?
Manners go back thousands ofyears.
(01:57):
Long ago in ancient societies,manners started as ways to show
respect for others and keep thepeace.
For example, in medieval times,knights and other members of
society followed strict codes ofbehavior, including table
manners, as a way to showloyalty and respect to their
rulers and peers.
Manners were also important inplaces like ancient China, where
(02:24):
Confucius taught rules ofcourtesy and respect as
essential parts of building agood society.
Over time, people started torealize that having polite
behavior could help avoidmisunderstandings and make daily
interactions smoother.
By the 1700s and 1800s, whenmany of the manners we know
(02:44):
today were being developed,people believed that good
manners were a sign of beingcivilized and educated.
That's why certain behaviorslike saying please and thank you
or not talking with your mouthfull, become widespread.
Even though some of thesecustoms might seem old-fashioned
, they're still useful becausethey help people feel
comfortable and respected.
(03:08):
Now why do grownups keepreminding kids to use good
manners?
It's not just because they wantyou to follow rules.
When parents, teachers andother adults encourage good
manners, they're helping kidsbuild important skills.
Good manners are like practicefor life, helping kids learn how
to communicate, get along withothers and handle different
(03:31):
situations with confidence.
Grown-ups know that using goodmanners can even open doors to
opportunities.
Imagine going for an interviewor meeting new friends.
Having good manners shows thatyou're respectful, thoughtful
and a good communicator.
People are more likely toremember you in a positive way
if you show respect and kindness.
(03:53):
So when parents remind theirkids to use good manners,
they're helping them buildskills that can benefit them in
school, friendships and futureopportunities.
One of the most common placeswhere we hear about manners is
at the dinner table.
Good table manners mightinclude simple things like
(04:15):
chewing with your mouth closed,waiting for everyone to sit
before eating or saying pleasepass instead of reaching across
someone.
But why do we have these rulesin the first place?
Table manners are importantbecause they show respect to the
people you're sharing a mealwith.
Imagine sitting down for a mealwhere everyone was grabbing
(04:36):
food without asking, talkingwith their mouths full or
reaching across the table.
It would be chaos.
Table manners create a peaceful, respectful environment so that
everyone can enjoy their mealtogether.
(04:57):
They also show appreciation tothe person who prepared the food
and set the table.
Good manners can even help youmake a good impression on others
, for example, if you're eatingat a friend's house or at a
fancy restaurant.
Using polite table mannersshows that you respect the
people around you.
It's a way of saying Iappreciate being here and I want
(05:22):
everyone to have a greatexperience.
Some examples of good tablemanners include chewing with
your mouth closed, saying pleaseand thank you and asking for
food to be passed, waiting untileveryone is seated before
starting to eat, and puttingyour napkin in your lap and
using it if you need to wipeyour mouth.
These little behaviors can makemealtime more enjoyable for
(05:46):
everyone.
One of the coolest things aboutmanners is that they don't just
make us feel good.
They also have a positiveeffect on the people around us.
When you're polite, you'reshowing others that you care
about their feelings and comfort.
Imagine someone helping youcarry something heavy and you
(06:07):
forget to say thank you.
Without even realizing it, youmight make them feel
unappreciated, but with a simplethank you, you acknowledge
their effort and they're morelikely to help you again in the
future.
In a way, good manners are liketiny acts of kindness.
Each time you say please, thankyou or excuse me, you're
(06:32):
sending a small message thatsays I respect you.
It might seem like a smallthing, but over time, these
little acts of kindness buildtrust and make it easier to get
along with others.
Plus, good manners often leadto kindness coming back to you.
When people see you're beingpolite, they're more likely to
(06:54):
be kind and polite in return.
Believe it or not, good mannersactually affect our brains.
When you say or hear phraseslike please and thank you, your
brain releases chemicals thatmake you feel happy.
This is part of somethingcalled social bonding, which is
(07:16):
our brains way of encouraging usto connect positively with
others.
When you're polite, your brainreleases oxytocin, a chemical
that helps us feel closer toothers and strengthens our
connections.
When people feel appreciatedand respected, they're more
likely to respond with kindness,which can create a positive
(07:37):
loop.
Good manners can actually boosthappiness levels for everyone
involved, making it easier toget along and cooperate.
So when your mom asks you touse good manners, she's not just
asking you to follow a rule.
She's actually helping you formbonds that can make you feel
happier and more connected toothers.
(08:01):
Did you know that manners canvary from one culture to another
?
What's considered polite in onecountry might be seen as
unusual somewhere else?
For example, in Japan, slurpingnoodles is a way of showing
appreciation for a meal, whilein many Western countries,
(08:23):
making noises while eating isseen as rude.
In some cultures it's polite toshake hands, while in others, a
respectful bow or nod is thenorm.
Understanding different mannersaround the world can help us
appreciate and respect peoplefrom different backgrounds.
It also reminds us that goodmanners are really about finding
(08:46):
ways to show respect, no matterwhere we are.
So when parents encourage theirkids to use good manners,
they're also teaching them to beadaptable and respectful in
different situations, which canbe valuable when meeting new
people or traveling.
If you've ever wondered whymanners don't always come
(09:08):
naturally, it's because theytake practice, just like
learning to play an instrumentor ride a bike.
Good manners are a skill thatyou improve the more you use
them.
When grown-ups remind us to sayplease or thank you, they're
helping you develop these habitsso that they eventually feel
easy and natural.
Think of manners as a way oftraining your brain to think
(09:29):
about others.
At first it might feel like alot to remember, but over time
using good manners becomessecond nature.
You might even start noticingthat people are more helpful,
friendly or willing to cooperatewhen you use polite words and
actions.
(09:50):
So, to answer the question,manners are important because
they help us build positiverelationships, show respect and
create an environment wherepeople feel valued.
When grown-ups encourage kidsto use good manners, they're
helping them learn skills thatwill make life a little smoother
, a little kinder and a lot moreconnected.
(10:11):
Manners might take somepractice, but they're worth it
because they make the world afriendlier place for everyone.
Thanks again to this mom forsuch a thoughtful question.
And remember if you have aquestion you're curious about,
submit it on our website atiwonderpodcastcom, and we might
(10:34):
just feature it in our nextepisode of I Wonder.
Until next time, stay curiousand keep wondering.
Hey there , curious minds, welcome to, I
Wonder, the show where weexplore the questions you've
been wondering about.
Today's question comes from amom who wrote in and asked why
is it that I have to constantlytell my kids that it's important
to have good manners?
Wow, such a relatable question.
If you're a kid listening rightnow, you might have heard
(00:26):
adults say things like sayplease and thank you, don't
interrupt or be polite.
But have you ever wondered whymanners are such a big deal?
Is it just your parents beingannoying, or is there more to it
?
Let's dive into the world ofmanners to see why they matter,
why grown-ups keep reminding usabout them and where some of
(00:47):
these customs even came from.
Let's start with the basics.
Manners are a way of showingrespect and consideration for
other people.
When we say please and thankyou or hold the door open for
(01:08):
someone, we're showing kindnessand thinking about how our
actions affect others.
Good manners are like the rulesof respect that help everyone
get along better.
They make conversationssmoother, show that we
appreciate each other and createa more positive atmosphere
wherever we are at home, atschool or out in the community.
(01:29):
Having good manners doesn'tmean you have to act like a
grown-up or do things that feelunnatural.
Instead, it's about being awareof how your actions make other
people feel and finding ways tomake those feelings positive.
But where did they come from?
Manners go back thousands ofyears.
(01:57):
Long ago in ancient societies,manners started as ways to show
respect for others and keep thepeace.
For example, in medieval times,knights and other members of
society followed strict codes ofbehavior, including table
manners, as a way to showloyalty and respect to their
rulers and peers.
Manners were also important inplaces like ancient China, where
(02:24):
Confucius taught rules ofcourtesy and respect as
essential parts of building agood society.
Over time, people started torealize that having polite
behavior could help avoidmisunderstandings and make daily
interactions smoother.
By the 1700s and 1800s, whenmany of the manners we know
(02:44):
today were being developed,people believed that good
manners were a sign of beingcivilized and educated.
That's why certain behaviorslike saying please and thank you
or not talking with your mouthfull, become widespread.
Even though some of thesecustoms might seem old-fashioned
, they're still useful becausethey help people feel
comfortable and respected.
(03:08):
Now why do grownups keepreminding kids to use good
manners?
It's not just because they wantyou to follow rules.
When parents, teachers andother adults encourage good
manners, they're helping kidsbuild important skills.
Good manners are like practicefor life, helping kids learn how
to communicate, get along withothers and handle different
(03:31):
situations with confidence.
Grown-ups know that using goodmanners can even open doors to
opportunities.
Imagine going for an interviewor meeting new friends.
Having good manners shows thatyou're respectful, thoughtful
and a good communicator.
People are more likely toremember you in a positive way
if you show respect and kindness.
(03:53):
So when parents remind theirkids to use good manners,
they're helping them buildskills that can benefit them in
school, friendships and futureopportunities.
One of the most common placeswhere we hear about manners is
at the dinner table.
Good table manners mightinclude simple things like
(04:15):
chewing with your mouth closed,waiting for everyone to sit
before eating or saying pleasepass instead of reaching across
someone.
But why do we have these rulesin the first place?
Table manners are importantbecause they show respect to the
people you're sharing a mealwith.
Imagine sitting down for a mealwhere everyone was grabbing
(04:36):
food without asking, talkingwith their mouths full or
reaching across the table.
It would be chaos.
Table manners create a peaceful, respectful environment so that
everyone can enjoy their mealtogether.
(04:57):
They also show appreciation tothe person who prepared the food
and set the table.
Good manners can even help youmake a good impression on others
, for example, if you're eatingat a friend's house or at a
fancy restaurant.
Using polite table mannersshows that you respect the
people around you.
It's a way of saying Iappreciate being here and I want
(05:22):
everyone to have a greatexperience.
Some examples of good tablemanners include chewing with
your mouth closed, saying pleaseand thank you and asking for
food to be passed, waiting untileveryone is seated before
starting to eat, and puttingyour napkin in your lap and
using it if you need to wipeyour mouth.
These little behaviors can makemealtime more enjoyable for
(05:46):
everyone.
One of the coolest things aboutmanners is that they don't just
make us feel good.
They also have a positiveeffect on the people around us.
When you're polite, you'reshowing others that you care
about their feelings and comfort.
Imagine someone helping youcarry something heavy and you
(06:07):
forget to say thank you.
Without even realizing it, youmight make them feel
unappreciated, but with a simplethank you, you acknowledge
their effort and they're morelikely to help you again in the
future.
In a way, good manners are liketiny acts of kindness.
Each time you say please, thankyou or excuse me, you're
(06:32):
sending a small message thatsays I respect you.
It might seem like a smallthing, but over time, these
little acts of kindness buildtrust and make it easier to get
along with others.
Plus, good manners often leadto kindness coming back to you.
When people see you're beingpolite, they're more likely to
(06:54):
be kind and polite in return.
Believe it or not, good mannersactually affect our brains.
When you say or hear phraseslike please and thank you, your
brain releases chemicals thatmake you feel happy.
This is part of somethingcalled social bonding, which is
(07:16):
our brains way of encouraging usto connect positively with
others.
When you're polite, your brainreleases oxytocin, a chemical
that helps us feel closer toothers and strengthens our
connections.
When people feel appreciatedand respected, they're more
likely to respond with kindness,which can create a positive
(07:37):
loop.
Good manners can actually boosthappiness levels for everyone
involved, making it easier toget along and cooperate.
So when your mom asks you touse good manners, she's not just
asking you to follow a rule.
She's actually helping you formbonds that can make you feel
happier and more connected toothers.
(08:01):
Did you know that manners canvary from one culture to another
?
What's considered polite in onecountry might be seen as
unusual somewhere else?
For example, in Japan, slurpingnoodles is a way of showing
appreciation for a meal, whilein many Western countries,
(08:23):
making noises while eating isseen as rude.
In some cultures it's polite toshake hands, while in others, a
respectful bow or nod is thenorm.
Understanding different mannersaround the world can help us
appreciate and respect peoplefrom different backgrounds.
It also reminds us that goodmanners are really about finding
(08:46):
ways to show respect, no matterwhere we are.
So when parents encourage theirkids to use good manners,
they're also teaching them to beadaptable and respectful in
different situations, which canbe valuable when meeting new
people or traveling.
If you've ever wondered whymanners don't always come
(09:08):
naturally, it's because theytake practice, just like
learning to play an instrumentor ride a bike.
Good manners are a skill thatyou improve the more you use
them.
When grown-ups remind us to sayplease or thank you, they're
helping you develop these habitsso that they eventually feel
easy and natural.
Think of manners as a way oftraining your brain to think
(09:29):
about others.
At first it might feel like alot to remember, but over time
using good manners becomessecond nature.
You might even start noticingthat people are more helpful,
friendly or willing to cooperatewhen you use polite words and
actions.
(09:50):
So, to answer the question,manners are important because
they help us build positiverelationships, show respect and
create an environment wherepeople feel valued.
When grown-ups encourage kidsto use good manners, they're
helping them learn skills thatwill make life a little smoother
, a little kinder and a lot moreconnected.
(10:11):
Manners might take somepractice, but they're worth it
because they make the world afriendlier place for everyone.
Thanks again to this mom forsuch a thoughtful question.
And remember if you have aquestion you're curious about,
submit it on our website atiwonderpodcastcom, and we might
(10:34):
just feature it in our nextepisode of I Wonder.
Until next time, stay curiousand keep wondering.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.