Courtesy
Courtesy is one of those words we use very often without knowing their exact definition. Do you know what it means to be courteous? Well, being courteous often means being kind and polite to those around you. For example, holding the door open for someone, helping someone carry their baggage, and saying ‘bless you’ when someone sneezes, are all courteous things to do.
There are a lot of examples you can use when you think about being courteous, but why do we do these things? Having courtesy is great because of its two main perks. Firstly, being kind makes you feel great. Secondly, it makes the person you are being courteous to feel great too. These aren’t the only reasons to be courteous, but it’s definitely the best things about being courteous!
The Importance of Courtesy
Having good courtesy is about having good manners and consideration for the people around you. For example, if you are in martial arts class and another student is talking, it is courteous to say ‘excuse me’ if you interrupt them. Of course, it is best if you can avoid interrupting anyone, but sometimes it is necessary, like if you see something troubling happening in the background and you need to alert a teacher.
This is a great example because it shows the importance of courtesy. If someone is interrupted, they may feel like their voice is not valued in the class. But by being polite and allowing them to continue after your interruption, you make sure everyone feels valued and appreciated while still communicating the important information you would like to share.
Simple Ways To Be Courteous
There are many simple ways your can be courteous every day. Aside from the examples already listed, you can take a moment and think about kind or polite things you can do in different situations. Some things seem more natural and simpler than others, like covering your mouth when you yawn or apologizing if you accidentally bump into someone. However, there is always room to be courteous to those around you.
Think about the things you would appreciate from others, and then try to do them for your peers. For example, when you meet a new group of people your friends already know, wouldn’t you appreciate it if they introduced you? This is an example of good courtesy, it’s that simple!
Common Courtesy
One of the difficult things about courtesy is that it’s so natural that you may sometimes be unable to recognize it. The courtesy that is expected of you on a daily basis is called ‘common courtesy’. This refers to things like saying ‘thank you’, ‘please’, and ‘hello’ or ‘good afternoon’, which are all a part of common courtesy. These phrases are so natural, you may sometimes forget that they are necessary to be courteous. If someone holds the door open for you, it is easy to think that this is expected of them, but it is actually a sign of courtesy, and to be courteous to them you should remember to say, ‘thank you’.