It’s really all about respect. It’s that simple.

Whether you treat an older person with deference or a server with courtesy, you are acknowledging their contribution to the world and showing your appreciation. When these norms fall apart, society begins to unravel and we become an, "every man for himself" kind of world. Think about it what it might be like to live in an aggressive, egocentric, and unruly civilization—not very pleasant. And we’re getting there. A survey in 2018 found that 74% of Americans believe that we have become more rude as a nation over the last several decades.

Etiquette and manners still serve a critical role in today's society, providing everything from personal security and emotional stability to clear communication and positive relationships. Having good manners breaks down barriers and sets the stage for mutually respectful interactions. Manners serve as social cues, and like it or not, your adherence to accepted societal norms—like manners—signals to others an awful lot about who you are as a person.

When you are kind, courteous and respectful, people relax and feel comfortable and will respond to you in an open and positive way—good manners builds bridges and will open up new worlds.

“Within the first seven seconds of meeting, people will have a solid impression of who you are—and some research suggests a tenth of a second is all it takes to start determining traits like trustworthiness.” Forbes

And good etiquette is important both personally and professionally. Having manners at work instantly elevates you as a colleague. A friendly smile, a compliment for someone’s achievement, letting someone finish their thought before you chime in, avoiding gossip, all pay dividends in the end. You will learn more, you will solve more problems, you will have more support and you will find that ultimately, people want to do business with people they like. And, with people who treat them well.

The words “thank you” are said to be derived from “think,” which originally meant, “I will remember what you did for me”, and the whole concept of “pay it forward” rings true for manners. When you give up your seat on the bus for an elderly woman, people notice, and they carry that forward in their lives. In the rush of our busy lives, it’s so easy to forget to hold the door, or say thank you to the coffee barista, or take your phone conversations somewhere private, but do yourself (and those around you) a favor—spend some time to quickly brush up on etiquette and manners. Please.