Evening star., 1937-06-23

Best Rule
Alw a y S
Good Manners Must
Become Habit With
All Children. ..
BY ANGELO PATRI.

|DoNALD and his mother have been
having . bit OF trouble lately,
owing to Donald's lack Of politeness
to his brothers and sisters. 20, why
should I say please to him when I
want him to move out of my way?
Is he any better than I am? Why
should I ask her to excuse me when
have to pass in front Of her? II
she had been decent she would have
handed me the book so I wouldn't
have had to get up to get it. I don't
see why should make believe that I
feel polite and nice when I feel like
poking them good and plenty"
But you shouldn't feel that way.
They're your brothers and sisters,
and they deserve just as good treat
ment as people outside do"
People outside don't nag me and
bother me and get In my way and
want something all the time and
expect me to give 1t to them. can't
see 1t. Let them look out for them
selves. I'll do the same"
Donald felt gTouchy. His legs and
arms had been stretching beyond
his power to control them. He felt
uncovered somehow, and things touched
him on the raw. He didn't feel like
being bothered and he had to be
bothered all day by being polite to
people who were forever in the way.
When he got home he wanted to let
down and rest his sore places. Then
along comes mother and says, you're
selfish and rude" Well, he didn't
care if he was. So there!
Donald needed more sleep, less
work, and the attention Of a good
physician first. After that he needed
to be told a few things that might
help him to see the value and the
necessity Of treating the family with
the same courtesy he treated out
siders.
Ones family are usually ones best
friends. They stand by in good days
and bad. They stick together, fight
for each other, support each other
in time Of need. Family loyalty ought
to make even grouchy adolescent
stop to consider his manners.
Then there is another side, the
selfish side, that should appeal to all
adolescent boys and girls. Much of
your success in the world must de-
pend upon what other people think
of you. Nobody can live alone. The
strongest personality needs and must
have the support of others in order
to succeed in its ambitions. Manners
are the passport to friendship. They
open the doors to pleasant places
that are guarded by people Of power.
A smile speaks well for the young
person and inclines their elders to
give him support whenever it becomes
necessary. Knowing what to do, and
how to do 1t, impresses those who are
benefited by such understanding and
reflects benefits on the intelligent,
well-mannered young person. It pays
to be good-mannered.
Good manners do not grow over
night, or in the face Of emergency.
They must have the sureness Of habit
behind them. When one is faced by
q sudden demand for behavior one
responds by habit, does what he
always has done. II an elderly lady
stops Unexpectedly before you, and
addresses you, will you rise easily to
your feet, listen with graciousness
and reply with grace? You will If
that has been your regular way day
by day at home. 1T school, In church
and on the street. You won't II you
have been in the habit Of sitting tight
and looking dumb.
Use the family for practice. They
viii IKE it. You viii benefit, BY