The Latest Thing In Demand: 20-Somethings Seeking Etiquette

Gone are the days when parents would send their children to finishing and charm schools. Manners seem to have almost disappeared from our modern society. You see bad manners almost everywhere, cell phones ringing during a movie, road rage, inconsiderate neighbors, rude and mean anonymous comments on various blogs and websites, etc. We as a society have become less formal, mean and less civil to each other.

You ask someone about manners and many will tell you they think they're stuffy and constricting. Good manners should not be seen as stuffy and boring but as a way to be a better you. In this modern age etiquette is not used to look down on those with less than great manners but to maneuver through this on the go society. There is a whole generation in society that have not been taught good manners and it's shown on a daily basis.

A good thing I've noticed is some 20-somethings and early 30-somethings are seeking out etiquette and good manners. Many realize that good manners will not only help them communicate in this modern society with others such as co-workers, roommates, friends and even their families but can help them gain a more polished and professional image thus giving them an edge over their peers.

Many in this group are buying etiquette books, searching on-line for information and enrolling in charm schools to better themselves.

But why are so many 20-somethings seeking etiquette advice? I posed this question to Lizzie Post, who is a young woman that is seen as a leader for 20-something manners seekers. Post is the author of the book "How Do You Work This Life Thing?" which is a fun little etiquette book that deal with today's issues without being stuffy. Some of the topics include: cell phone etiquette, dating, help with roommates and crazy co-workers.

She thinks, 20-somethings are searching for etiquette for two reasons: first, they are starting to recognize that there is a need for civility and order, and it can be simple and expressive, but it needs to be there. For instance, when you greet someone you’d like to receive a greeting back in return or when you clean the kitchen, it’s nice when your roommates show their appreciation for what you’ve done by saying, “Thank you for cleaning.”

As we start to become responsible for our own lives, we see how important it is to recognize, consider, and respect those around us. (Usually, we figure it out because someone’s not considering, or respecting us. It’s how we learn.)

The second reason, is as we get older, we realize etiquette’s not just about mom yelling at you to put your napkin in your lap. We start viewing it differently—not, so much as annoying rituals and rules, but as tools that help us get through life’s sticky situations smoothly, or prevent them altogether. It’s a whole new idea for us, and I’m really glad to see our 20-something generation really embracing it and being interested.

She raised a good point because pouting, whining and being irresponsible is so not cute pass the age of five. As an adult you have to learn how to communicate and deal with your problems and not just ignore them hoping they will go away.