Those Were the Days
Kids nowadays, are we right? In all seriousness, today’s world seems rife with blue light and entitlement, making basic manners a thing of the past. Though older generations are poked fun at for their formality, they also bring a level of respect that keeps dwindling as the years go by. Let’s take a look at which manners they stil bring to the dinner table—and why they’re important.
1. Formal Greetings
In today’s day and age, a simple “hey” is as far as people go. But older generations understand the importance of formal greetings, especially when addressing someone’s proper title. “Good morning, Mr. Smith” sounds much more polite than today’s standard, “What’s up?” Though familiarity obviously plays a role, that extra formal step signals generational differences.
2. Handwritten Thank-You Notes
Where did all the snail mail go? Say what you want about handwritten letters, they’re far more personal than a measly text. Taking the time to truly thank someone shows just how appreciative you are, and it means a lot more than emojis.
3. Please and Thank You
Younger generations still indulge in basic manners, but it’s the older guys who never falter. You’ll hear “please” and “thank you” after every interaction, which is a breath of fresh air at this point.
4. Respect for Elders
Advanced age doesn’t exempt people from good manners, and some people indeed use their seniority to mistreat others. However, older generations were brought up to respect their elders—and it’s ultimately a good rule of thumb. People get what they give in life, so while it’s understandable to stand up for yourself, it’s another to immediately disrespect those more experienced.
5. Introducing Themselves to Neighbors
When was the last time you introduced yourself to your neighbor? It seems like a far-fetched idea for younger generations, but older people aren’t shy about getting to know those around them. You’re going to share a neighborhood, so you might as well share a kind word.
6. Punctuality
Lateness isn’t a personality trait—it’s disrespectful of others’ time. Older generations know the value of showing up on schedule, and you won’t catch them arriving half an hour into dinner. You won’t have to trick them into showing up early, either.
7. Sharing Food
Older generations sat down at the table. Family dinners were sacred, and so was making the time for loved ones. With that came little gestures of appreciation, such as sharing food or complimenting the cook. If you asked Grandpa for some fries, he’d probably donate them faster than anyone else!
8. Gracious Behavior
Gracious behavior takes many forms, but older generations know them all. From being a good host to not openly embarrassing people, you can always count on older people to take the hint or go the extra mile.
9. Prioritizing Eye Contact
Hey. No sunglasses indoors. No looking at your phone during introductions either. Eye contact is a big part of conversation, and it’s not something we see very often anymore. Whether it’s people glued to their phones or the awkward aftermath of COVID, this simple gesture went out the window.
10. Spatial Awareness
We all have to share this world, but not everyone sees it that way. Some people live in their own little universe, which means clogging store aisles and talking in doorways. It sure is unpleasant, but do you know who doesn’t do that? Older people!
11. Dress Code Adherence
Why don’t people dress up for the theater anymore? Why are we wearing pajama pants in public? The madness of it all! We’re not saying to wear a suit at breakfast, but dressing for the occasion isn’t something you see that often nowadays.
12. Making Small Talk
Small talk seems like a nightmare, but some could argue that it’s a lost art. An engaging conversation is more than just the weather or your favorite sports team—it’s a great way to learn more about a person and take a genuine interest. Sure, there’s something to be said for enjoying the silence, but there’s something to be said for a good talk, too.
13. Not Cursing All the Time
Alright, we’ll admit it. A good cuss word can get the point across. However, there’s a time and a place for everything, and cursing isn’t an everyday thing. It’s a little off-putting to hear such language in every sentence, and it’s even worse in formal settings.
14. Less Screen Time
Older generations didn’t grow up with constant technology, they learned to enjoy the moment and spend time in the great outdoors. More importantly, they don’t pick up their phone at the table. You can always count on your elders to watch you, not their screens.
15. Driving Etiquette
Say what you will about today’s drivers—there was a time when manners existed on the road! Thank-you waves and proper signalling seem like a thing of the past, especially with younger generations. While we’re at it, a good hand signal goes a long way, too.
16. Handshakes
Handshakes are like small talk: younger generations hate them. It’s true, not every situation warants a firm handshake, but most could do with the simple courtesy. Job interviews, meeting new people, and even greeting relatives could all use a proper shake.
17. Not Making Noise
You’ll never catch an older person blasting music in public. You won’t hear their loud conversations in the waiting room. You’ll never have to shush them in the library. Old timers know how to respect the sanctity of silence.
18. Holding the Door Open
It’s pretty rare to catch someone holding the door open. But older people? They do it every time. What seems like a simple gesture is actually basic manners, and it’s a kindness often found in generations past.
19. Not Recording Everything
Hey, we get it. Phones make it easy to record memories and snap photos of incredible sunsets. However, not everyone is comfortable with the lens. That doesn’t stop the majority of influencers and teens from recording every second of their lives, whether you’re in it or not.
20. Table Etiquette
You don’t need to eat at Buckingham Palace to have good manners. Knowing the basics, like utensil placement, no elbows on the table, and eating with your mouth closed do just fine for most people. You should also wait for the host before chowing down!
