Etiquette and Manners

We have two-terms to describe [বর্ণনা] our social behaviour- ‘etiquette [শিষ্টাচার]’ and ‘manners [আদব কায়দা।]’. ‘Etiquette’ is a French word and it means the rules of correct behaviour in society. The word ‘manners’ means the behaviour that is considered [বিবেচনা করা] to be polite [ভদ্র] in a particular [নির্দিষ্ট] society or culture. Manners can be good or bad. For example, it is a bad manner to speak with food in one’s mouth. No one likes a bad-mannered person. Remember that etiquette and manners vary [হেরফের] from culture to culture and from society to society. We learn etiquette and manners from our parents, families and various institutions, such as schools, colleges or professional bodies. There are rules of behaviour for all kinds of social occasions and it is important to learn them and practice them in everyday life. The manners that are correct in a wedding reception will not do in a debating club. Therefore, we have to be careful about etiquette and manners. We know how important it is to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ in everyday life. A few more polite expressions such as ‘pardon me’, ‘excuse me’, ‘may I’ are bound [বাধ্য] to make your day smooth [মসৃণ] and pleasant [মনোরম]. As a child you must have been told to greet [শুভেচ্ছা] your elders and visitors to your home according [অনুযায়ী] to your culture and tradition [ঐতিহ্য]. You must also have been taught to be polite in company and keep quiet while others, especially your elders spoke. Possibly, you at times grudged [বিদ্বিষ্ট] such schooling. Possibly, at times you even protested [প্রতিবাদ] such disciplining. We are social beings and have to consider [বিবেচনা] the effect of our behaviour on others, even if we are at home and dealing with our family members.