The First Impression

image:beauty-in-out.blogspot.com
culled from:hbr.com

In this day of having a conversation while text messaging someone else, the art of manners can seem a waste of time, or is it?
It’s not clear that anyone knows what a written thank you note is anymore. This is great because it’s easier than ever to have your teen make an impression with simple “old school” manners. Manners can help distinguish your teen from every other teen that may or may not be smarter, faster, or shinier.
Some simple manners are included here:
Good eye contact
Looking someone in the eyes when they are speaking to your teen is a great way to let them know your teen is listening to them. Adults get very annoyed when they feel they’re not being listened to especially when it is an interviewer. This can be the equivalent of a warning becoming a ticket. Encourage your teen to look people in the eyes when they are being spoken to. Later it will be a great way to establish a connection with others they want to become more intimate with.
Addressing Adults Properly
Back in the day no one who came up to your knee would call you by your first name. There was always something that came before the first name like Aunt or Uncle if you were very close to the family or a part of that extended family whether born into it or not. There was also the always useful Ms or Mr and then the first name for everyone else from the grocer to the delivery person. In this way your teen gave the people who have been on this earth longer than they have the respect of their years. This simple practice can distinguish your teen in such a subtle way that it gives the impression of their being respectful before anything else comes out of their mouth.
Please
It’s always going to make an impression when your teen asks for something with the understanding they’re not entitled to it nor is the person they’re asking obligated to do it for them. Saying, “please” is how your teen conveys that. This is of course a humble please not the obligatory please that just gets it over with.  A heartfelt please can give someone the desire to help when they think they have nothing left to give.
Thank you
The power of thank you can never be underestimated. If you want to build a relationship with someone, which in the real world is called networking, the importance of thank you cannot be underestimated. Thank you is a clear display of gratitude for the kindness (a kind gesture, a present, an opportunity or an interview) you have been shown by someone that may have gone out of their way on your behalf. These thank yous should preferably be hand written.
Manners are a great way for your teen to make an impression. They’re always noticed and it always knocks someone’s socks off because no one does it anymore. This is an easy one, don’t let your teen miss out.