of the easiest ways to be good mannered and substantial is to be silent and only talk when you have something important to say. This adds weight to your words. Manners are often dictated by common sense. If you would be offended by an action, that action is likely to offend others too. Check yourself often to see if your talk, conversations, and treatment of others is respectful or rude. Would you like to be spoken to or treated the same way? When asking someone about a touchy subject, keep your voice the same that you would if you were asking about the weather. This shows that you're taking them seriously and will allow them to be more comfortable about answering. Pardon bodily functions. Say "excuse me" if you belch or cough (or make any other unavoidable noise with your body). Laughing at a belch is poor manners and makes a person seem crude. It may be funny to your friends but others around you see it as poor character. Remember, though, that just because you say "excuse me" that does not mean you can belch at any time you like. Avoid doing it in front of anyone. When the door finally opens after you've been waiting for an elevator, let the people trying to leave the elevator go through the door first. Trying to enter an elevator before allowing people to exit exhibits poor manners and slows the entire process. Good manners doesn't mean that you can't joke and