Manners are very important if you want to make a good impression on other people. If you have manners, people will automatically assume that you are well-educated and have been brought up with the right ethics. Sure, we've all heard of "please" and "thank you," but this guide will help you understand how to be a true lady or gentleman.

1. Introduce yourself: Confidence is key. Smile nicely and shake their hand warmly and firmly. Make sure you don't grab too hard, you might hurt the other person. In the same way, don't be shy about shaking hands, if your hand is limp you're doing it wrong too. Immediately say, "Hello, my name is _________, how are you?" People always appreciate when you ask how they are doing.

2. Always respect other people's privacy. When you go to someone's house, always knock on the door first. It's very rude to just enter someone's home and some people are offended by it. When they answer the door, introduce yourself and ASK if you MAY come in.

3. Use proper English. Believe it or not, there is a big difference between "can I" and "may I." If you ask the question, "May I go to the restroom?" You are asking permission to go to the restroom. If you said it like, "Can I go to the restroom?" You are asking if you are able to go to the restroom . . . and I hope you can by this age.

4. Use please, thank you, and you're welcome.

5. Answer adults with "yes Ma'am/Sir" and "no Ma'am/Sir"

6. Never call an adult by their first name unless they said it was okay to do so. Always address an adult by "Mister, Miss, or Misses" and then their last name. There is a difference between "Miss" and "Misses." You call a woman "Miss" if she isn't married, and you call her "Misses" if she IS married. So if your teacher's name is Rachel Smith, and she is married, you should call her Misses Smith.

7. If you are on a crowded bus and an old lady has no where to sit, the mannerly thing to do is to give her your seat. She is old and a woman, after all, and she needs to sit down much more than someone of your age.

At the Table:

8. Wait until everyone is seated before you begin to eat.

9. No elbows on the table.

10. Use your lips on your silverware, not your teeth. The click from your teeth is really annoying.

11. Chew with your mouth closed.

12. Don't lick your silverware.

13. Talk about things that are appropriate for the table. This is not the time to speak of farts, blood or anything else gross.

14. When you are finished eating, lay your silverware on your plate and wait until everyone else is finished eating before you take your plate to the sink.

15. When you get up, politely tuck in your chair back under the table.

Use these guidelines and I guarantee people will find you more pleasant to be around.

-peachadee