Part I Get Started 

Section A Discussion

Discuss and answer the following questions.

1.      What do goodmanners mean to you? Does having good manners mean being polite or courteous?  Or does it mean more than that?

2.      Recount some personal experiences where you have witnessed good manners.

3.      What do you know about civility? How is it reflected in daily life?

4.      What do you think is the role or importance of civility in today’s society? 

5.      If we can get one to learn about civility, what is the most conducive environment to do so?

                            Part I Get Started

Section B     Quotes

Study the following quotes about civility and good manners. Do you agree with each of them? Give reasons to support your view.

1.   I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.

                                                      — Albert Einstein

2.   What you do not want others to do to you, do not do them unto others. 

                                                    —Confucius

3.   Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.

                                                      —Emily Post

Section B     Quotes

Study the following quotes about civility and good manners. Do you agree with each of them? Give reasons to support your view.

1.   I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.

                                                      — Albert Einstein

Interpretation:

By this quote, Albert Einstein means that everyone, regardless of their status and wealth, has a role in society.  As a contributing individual, everyone should receive the same level of respect.

2.   What you do not want others to do to you, do not do them unto others. 

                                                      —Confucius

Interpretation:

This quote from Confucius tells us to treat and respect others in the same way as we would want others to do to us. The original saying in Chinese is  “己所不欲勿施于人。”《论语》

3.   Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.

                                                      —Emily Post

Interpretation:

Emily Post’s quote reminds us that regardless of our status and wealth in society, manners are important.  Having position and being rich do not give us the excuse to be discourteous. As responsible individuals of our community and society, we should respect one another and be sincere by behaving in socially acceptable ways.