‘Manners’ – we discussed how we are ‘taught’ manners, as a way of showing respect and being polite. It certainly did bring up many different actions that were considered as ‘manners’ from the past.
It led us to discussions around the impact of manners on our truth and how we truly feel. Is it that we have learnt to carry a range of manners that have prevented us from, saying things we actually feel, and what is our truth?
We noticed the changing nature of how manners are used, based on new findings about the way in which children learn. While years ago, we were ‘told’, the focus now is more on ‘choice’ and it was helpful to discuss the pros and cons of each.
Where doe the word ‘manners’ take you? What feelings does it conjure?
We hope you enjoy our poems this week.
Feel free to comment or pass on for others to experience these short journeys.
The next week’s word is ‘stubborn’. I’m sure this will potentially lead us in different directions… Looking forward to it.
Hope to see you there.
My manners were taught to me
Part of my family culture
Please
Thank you
Sorry
Pardon me
You’re welcome
Hello
Goodbye
Excuse me
Seems to have lived through me
For over seventy years.
Wedded to my values
Has been my polite behavior
Opening doors for others
Offering seats to those
Who might need it more than me
One I haven’t mentioned
As I find it difficult to meet
Is keeping eye contact
When we speak
Most times it’s alright
Other times I forget
So I force myself
To make an effort
So I appear to connect
Such a fine line I stepped
Then I found a trick
That seems to work for me
Look at their nose or
Hair chin ear or lips
I’m always discrete
Manners not only reflect
Our mutual respect
They can also be used
To say we don’t like to be treated
By others being rude or abused
Like all social etiquettes
Over time customs
And conventions
Fall out of favour
Leaving others to evolve
To be refined through time
It’s the nature of culture
My only wish is that
I never have to undergo
The replacement of “Hello”
With “Yobro?”
PJR 6.02.2023
I recall it well,
Another visit to my aunts
Too young to understand
No-one to tell
Listening to the talk
In a room filled with
Family members
The language is familiar
Yet indeterminable
Their native tongue
The sound is emotive
Feeling confused
Zia’s (my aunt) wails, that seem like cries
Tells a story of what belies
She’s upset, over what I don’t know…
I don’t mess with regret
I say to myself
As I remember dad’s threats
The message about my behaviour
Embedded to savour
‘Have manners and be polite’
When we visit Zia tonight
No matter what biscuits or treats are in sight
They offer them to be kind
I learnt, I must be blind
To the temptation and lure
I’d know about it, for sure
Cos if I dare to defy
Rather than behave and comply
I’d be in big trouble
I tell no lie
Some days however
My sweet tooth wins
I take one … two…
I realize my sin
Puts dad’s head in a spin
Which I pay for
When we get home
A stern warning
Another sign
I need more learning
Or is it unlearning
Of the nonsense rules that are forming
TLaB 6th Feb 2023
Mind- when you’re on the tram, give up your seat
Let the ladies pass, tip your hat
When you enter class, hold the door
You will receive a smile that’s for sure
Dinner time at home, never late for that
We all sit around and have a chat
May I leave the table-now really!
Getting a bit old for that
Drive to uni now, how those years flew
Waiting, waiting, missed the lights
That moron went just went straight through!
The so and so in front of me, no blinkers, turning right!
So next time when you can’t get a grip
Or feel like you are losing it
Don’t forget your manners
Thanks mum