What is considered to be good manners differs around the world. Therefore good manners depend on where in the world someone is.  

For instance, in France when someone arrives at the post office and there are others waiting in a queue, they will greet everyone with ‘Bon jour’ and there will be quiet responses. No meeting or outing starts until everyone either shakes everyone else’s hand or kisses them on the cheek. How many kisses depends on the relationships of the people concerned and the area of France. It takes a little time and amuses everyone but is appreciated. After a very short period of exposure to this behavior, if this courtesy is omitted it jars. 

In the far east it is considered rude to allow the soles of the feet to be visible when sitting down. On a chair this is not difficult but when there are none some ingenuity is needed. 

The aim of good manners is to make working with other people easy and comfortable. There is an old adage that good manners are to ensure that someone does not embarrass another person. For this reason a brief greeting or acknowledgement of a service costs nothing. 

It can be easy to ignore the services that are performed in restaurants and by other service providers. Perhaps the person working is doing their job but surely it is a pleasant way to recognize that by saying thank you and please.  

Arrogance creates resentment. No one appreciates someone who is unable to acknowledge another’s services or courtesy. It is, therefore, a sign of social competence to be big enough to show appreciation. 

One difficulty created by the feminists issue of independence is acknowledging graciously if a door is held open. It doesn’t matter whether a man or woman performs the service. Someone else has offered a courtesy and it should be acknowledged as such. 

Everyone has off days when it is quicker to be surly than polite. However, just because it is an off day doesn’t mean the rest of the world has to be made miserable as well. Those are the times when someone with innately good manners will be considerate. 

Children who have been well brought up will be taught to respond to things done for them with ‘thank you’, and this becomes automatic usually. How a customer makes a request for something they want also shows something of their character. Someone who will be respected will treat the employee well, someone who is worthless, regardless of wealth or status, will demand rather than ask. 

Good manners cost nothing, show respect for others and make life run more pleasantly.