“Every cultured person should not only know and observe the basic rules of etiquette, but also understand the need for certain rules and relationships. Manners largely reflect a person’s inner culture, moral and intellectual qualities.”
/Ethics/
The topic of etiquette and manners is really very important, as they are a reflection of a person’s inner culture, upbringing and attitude towards others. Let’s take a closer look at this.
Etiquette includes many rules that help people interact with each other in society without causing discomfort, harm, and suffering. For example:
- A greeting: It is important to be able to greet properly. In different cultures, this can be either a simple gesture (a nod, a handshake), or more formal greetings. For example, in Russia they usually greet with a handshake, whereas in Japan it can be a bow.
- Politeness in communication: Using “please” and “thank you” is the basis of polite communication. For example, when you order something in a cafe, it is important not only to place an order, but also to thank the barista for his work.
- Do not criticize or humiliate other people in public. If you think that a person is making mistakes or behaving incorrectly, you should always try to explain to him your thoughts about this in private.
Etiquette helps to build healthy relationships. For example:
- Listening: The ability to listen to the interlocutor is an important aspect of communication. If you interrupt others or don’t show interest in their words, it can create a negative impression of you. For example, at a business meeting, it is important not only to speak, but also to listen carefully to the opinions of colleagues.
- Respect for personal space: Everyone has their own idea of comfort. For example, in public transport, it is important to keep a distance and not invade other people’s personal space.
A person’s manners often reflect their inner qualities. For example:
- Empathy and empathy: People with a high inner culture often show empathy for others. For example, if you see that someone in a public place has lost something important, you can offer your help. It’s a show of respect and kindness.
- Cleanliness and order: A person who cares about his environment, most often shows this in his manners. For example, if you are on a picnic, it is important not only to enjoy nature, but also to clean up the trash. It shows your respect for the environment and other people.
- At work: If you come to a meeting late, it is important to apologize to your colleagues. This will show your responsibility and respect for their time.
- When visiting, it will be very important to respect the wishes of the hosts and take care of their belongings. Before leaving, it is polite to thank them for the shelter, even if it was not very comfortable, but in any case, their vital resources were spent on it.
Thus, the norms of etiquette and manners are not just a set of rules, but an important aspect of our communication and interaction with the outside world. They reflect our inner culture, moral and intellectual qualities. But not only that, it is also an opportunity not to accumulate negative karma, causing harm to other people.
The 14th Dalai Lama himself, the Supreme Leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has repeatedly spoken about the importance of observing Ethics. Moreover, he even wrote a whole book about it. But many people who engage in spiritual practice often do not pay attention to this and, on the contrary, begin to behave more loosely and rudely towards other people, explaining this as “washing karma” or “checking” the implementation of the 8 worldly Dharmas, pride, etc. Although no one gave them such a right.
And we must remember that by respecting the rules of etiquette, we create a more harmonious society and promote better mutual understanding between people. This means that the World is getting a little brighter…))
Elena Kshanti
