16 Forgotten Manners From Your Grandmas Time

It’s no secret that older generations have a reputation for being more polite and formal than today’s youth. They grew up with these few timeless etiquette rules that really shaped their behavior. Even now, you’ve probably seen your grandma sticking to these habits like second nature. Meanwhile, many of these classic manners have faded with younger generations and the truth is that society might just be missing out because of it! Take a look at these forgotten social norms, and decide for yourself if it’s time to bring them all back. Your grandma would definitely say yes!

Writing A Thank You Note

Remember the days when we made our children sit down and write thank-you notes for gifts or special favors? This simple act of gratitude was a cornerstone of good manners. Today, a quick text or social media message has replaced the heartfelt, handwritten note, losing that personal touch and the time taken to express genuine thanks.

Addressing Adults With Respect

We taught our children to address adults with titles such as “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Miss,” followed by their last name. This was a sign of respect and acknowledgment of an elder’s authority and experience. Nowadays, children often address adults by their first names, blurring the lines of respect and familiarity that once set clear boundaries.

Saying Please And Thank You

These magic words were drilled into us from a young age, and we ensured our children understood their importance. They were the basic building blocks of politeness. Yet, it’s increasingly rare to hear these simple courtesies in everyday interactions, where demands are made without the niceties that soften and civilize our requests.

Holding The Door Open

Teaching our children to hold the door open for others, especially for the elderly or those carrying heavy loads, was a fundamental act of kindness and consideration. It signified awareness of others and a willingness to help. Today, people often rush through doors, seemingly oblivious to those around them.

Making Eye Contact

We emphasized the importance of making eye contact during conversations as a sign of engagement and respect. It showed the other person that you had their full attention. However, with the prevalence of smartphones and digital distractions, maintaining eye contact has become a rare practice, affecting the quality of our interactions.

Table Manners

Table manners were an essential part of family meals, from chewing with your mouth closed to waiting until everyone was served before starting to eat. We taught our children how to set a table, use utensils properly, and engage in polite dinner conversation. Nowadays, family meals are often hurried or eaten in front of screens, and these dining etiquette have faded.

Listening Without Interrupting

Listening attentively and waiting for someone to finish speaking before responding was a sign of respect and good communication. We taught our children to value what others had to say and to practice patience. Today, interruptions and talking over one another are common, undermining the quality of conversations and mutual respect.

Apologizing Sincerely

A heartfelt apology when in the wrong was an important lesson in accountability and empathy. We taught our children to say “I’m sorry” and mean it, understanding the impact of their actions. In contrast, today’s apologies often feel rushed or insincere, lacking the depth of genuine remorse and the desire to make amends.

Dressing Appropriately

We taught our children to dress suitably for different occasions, understanding that attire reflects respect for the event and the people attending. Appropriate clothing mattered whether it was dressing up for church, a wedding, or even a nice dinner. Today’s casual dress codes blur these distinctions, and the significance of dressing appropriately has diminished.

Respecting Personal Space

Understanding and respecting personal space was a fundamental social skill. We taught our children to be mindful of others’ comfort zones and to avoid being intrusive. In an era of selfies and social media, this awareness seems to have lessened, with personal space often invaded without a second thought.

Proper Phone Ettiquette

Answering the phone politely, not speaking too loudly, and excusing oneself from the table to take a call were all part of good phone manners. We emphasized these rules to ensure our children knew how to communicate respectfully. Today, loud phone conversations in public places and constant phone checking during meals are common, reflecting a decline in phone etiquette.

Show Respect To Your Elders

We taught our children to defy their elders, listen to their wisdom, and offer assistance whenever needed. This respect for age and experience was a cornerstone of good manners. In modern times, this reverence seems less pronounced, with the voices of older generations often overlooked or dismissed in favor of youth and novelty.

Women First

Back then, women were given priority in all sorts of situations. For instance, they were the first to be served in restaurants and cafés, the first to enter a room, and their man was supposed to hold their chair as they sat down. While some of these manners are still in use today, most of them have gotten lost, and women are now often treated as men.

Eating Together

Families often used to eat their meals together, sitting at the dinner table. Today, on the other hand, everyone ends up eating at a different time, and no one is expected to wait for others before starting his meal, except for a few rare occasions, such as Sunday lunch with the extended family. This is unfortunate and quite sad, as eating together was a great way to spend quality time with the whole family.

Acknowledging Hospitality

When you attend a party or get-together, you should always be grateful to the host. It is not easy to host an event of any size! Make sure you always thank the person who invited you. Baby boomers know that giving a hostess gift is the best way to do that. Never show up to another person’s house empty-handed. Whether you bring a batch of homemade cookies or a bouquet of flowers, acknowledging someone’s hospitality with a gift is essential.

Removing Hats When Inside

Hats used to be an outside-only type of accessory. Removing your hat when entering a room was once a sign of respect and politeness, but that practice has largely faded from modern etiquette. While it was seen as a way to show humility and acknowledge the presence of others, today, most people don’t follow this practice in casual settings. Hats have become more of a fashion statement, and keeping them on when you are indoors is no longer considered rude. But should we still be taking off our hats when we are inside to be polite? You decide!