Etiquettes are the formal rules for polite behaviour in society or in a particular group.
In today’s global society, etiquettes are essential soft skills that often make one person stand –out from the crowd while others get left behind unnoticed.
Etiquettes is all about behavior and manners; if you have ever sat across the table from someone with bad table manners, overheard someone speaking loudly over their cell phone or had your questions to a customer service representative or secretary answered with a “yeah”, whatever” or non-chalantly then you’ll understand why manners matter.
In Africa, we have great etiquette cultures and in a bid to ensure that descendants adhere to these cultures and native etiquettes, our forefathers and mothers tied them to superstitions. The truth is that these native etiquettes are not native at all but are standards by which we all can live in order to better ourselves and behavior whether at home or abroad.
For instance, the manner of sitting down for women has always been sitting straight with legs slightly folded and tilted to the left, even when sitting on the floor ,the same rules apply. Sitting with your legs stretched forward is bad etiquettes ,this also applies in African culture where a pregnant woman is prohibited from sitting in such a manner lest someone who is not the father of the child crosses her legs and that child takes a striking resemblance to that person-we all know what this means in our various cultures.
The proper etiquette for climbing or descending the staircase for ladies is walking down or up slightly facing the banisters and walking sideways.
Studies have shown that children between the ages of six to ten are more receptive to changing a set of known incorrect values than older children .it also reveals that the earlier they learn these skills the more natural it will be for them to use them in every day communication with others .Little wonder the bible said in Prov.22v6 that “train up your child in the way he should go and when he grows up he will not depart from it,” and I say “train up your child or wards in proper etiquettes and when he grows up he’ll become an astounding individual, building excellent relationships in an upward climb in life..
In conclusion, etiquettes is basically knowing what to do and say to build great relationships even in the household of God, we all want to be liked and like to be liked, etiquettes will help us leave a lasting positive impression on the minds of others
