GOOD MANNERS IS BEING KIND TO OTHERS.

Our old friend, Anonymous, has said, "The test of good manners is being able to put up pleasantly with bad ones." And, Christopher Morley said, "Happiness is the best teacher of good manners; only the unhappy are churlish."

Amy Vanderbilt, an authority on etiquette, believe that knowledge of the rules of living in our society makes us more comfortable even though our particular circumstances may permit us to elide them somewhat.

Whenever I encounter rude persons, I recall Miss Vanderbilt’s words: "Only a great fool or a great genius is likely to flout all social graces, with impunity, and neither one, doing so, makes the most comfortable companion."

Chances are common sense and consideration for others will get you through any complicated social situation you are likely to have. And it seems to me that one's personality is reflected in his manners. A person can be unbearably rude while being technically correct.

Whenever I think of good manners, I remember the beautiful old fashioned manners of my late husband, Ralph. The women health workers who helped take care of him when he was so ill were charmed by his manners, such as his habit of calling all females regardless of their ages, "Ma'am" and saying please and thank you often.

And as Emerson said, " Life is not so short but that there is always time enough for courtesy."