5 Social Mores My Family Taught Me That Every Teen Should Know

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Good manners can go a long way in influencing how people view you, not to mention significantly strengthen your own opinion of yourself. Today, most teens seem to have forgotten about the importance of proper etiquette and often struggle to act accordingly in certain situations. Whether it's a symptom of social media use and increased isolation or something else, the bottom line is that younger generations are finding it harder to fit in with new groups of people, which in turn can lead to decreased levels of self-respect.

Ever since my early childhood, five key etiquette rules have been impressed upon me by the older members of my family. Rules which, looking back now, have helped me in many aspects of my everyday life.

Don't interrupt other peoples' conversations

One way to demonstrate respect for others is to not involve yourself in their conversations unless explicitly asked to do so. Interrupting someone else's conversation is regarded as pretty annoying, and will definitely cause others to think less of you. By not getting involved, you're also exercising patience, which is a key skill everyone should have.

Think of others as much as you do yourself

When interacting with a large group of people, it's easy to lose sight of how each individual is feeling, or coping with the situation. An important part of maturing is acting selflessly, and the first step to doing so is thinking of others rather than just yourself.

Keep quiet if you have nothing notable to add

Group discussions can go on for a while, and run the risk of digressing, however, generally speaking, they should stick to a certain theme. Grinding these discussions to a halt by adding unnecessary and irrelevant bits of information paints you as irritating, despite your best intentions. Furthermore, learning to stay on track with the topic at hand can help you become a more focused individual in other aspects of your life.

Don't be the only one having a good time

In large groups, there are always bound to be some people who find fitting in a bit more challenging. This is mainly down to some folks being introverts, and spending some time with them in private or helping them find comfort in the current environment can help ease them into an overwhelming social situation. Actions speak louder than words, so by actually helping those around you, you demonstrate sincere selflessness that others will, either consciously or unconsciously, respond to.

Act appropriately in any given situation

This may seem like a given, but to be honest, we aren't always as mindful of it as we should be. Basically, there are different ways we should act when in certain places or in the company of certain people. Naturally, when with friends at a restaurant or at someone’s home the mood will be lighter and more carefree. Needless to say, however, on more serious occasions the atmosphere should be more professional and sober. Learning to act accordingly in any given situation will not only help you practice more self-control but will also make you seem more experienced in the process.

All of these etiquette rules have contributed to both my high self-esteem and respectability, and by following these guidelines I believe teens around the world will become better people in the long run.

Images: Unsplash, Giphy

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