I have never read, nor seen the play Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw, but My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn is based on it.  I thought this line from the play really captures my view of what good etiquette is all about.

2 Responses to “manners according to george bernard shaw”

1. Joy says:

   30 January 2010 at 9:08 pm

   Like I said, help me teach good manners? My kids are far from having awful manners, but I would love to help them learn genuine politeness. What is your advice regarding teaching/raising polite kids?
2. Jaime says:

   30 January 2010 at 10:57 pm

   Consistent reminders. That’s what I do. When they pass the phone to someone, I have been teaching them to say, “One moment please” since Stuart was 2, I think. And I make them all do it. Often they need reminding, but that’s fine. I usually will whisper a cue to them as they’re about to hand me the receiver, and then leave it at that.

   That’s one piece of advice. I’m sure I can think of others.

   It’s usually best when I teach them manners in a polite way. When I’m shouting, “Why did you do that to your sister?! That’s not polite!!!, ” I would say that is less effective. I have to do some reminding to myself, too.