7 Old-Fashioned Etiquette Rules That I Wish My Generation Would Bring Back

I've been called an old soul my whole life. I gravitate towards "grandma" traits; going to bed early, waking up early. Reading 24/7. Sweaters, candles, and porcelain, floral-patterned plates. My aesthetic is "grandmillennial" (grandma-millennial). I just am homesick for a time I never actually experienced, and I can't begin to tell you why... ok, maybe I can.

I really wish these ten old-fashioned etiquette rules would come back into style. Etiquette is defined as, "The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group." When we are polite, we all know how to behave in such a way that will least likely offend or hurt each other. Politeness follows this unspoken code of not hurting each other, and I miss that.

Do you agree, or is there a reason we've moved away from these old school manners?

Let me know. <3

1. Please, thank you, nice to meet you, and other pleasant, polite phrases -- It could just be my generation, but we are so awkward when it comes to meeting new people!! It feels very uncomfortable 9/10 times, and I can't help but think it's because we've lost the art of a polite greeting and pleasantries. We don't know how to have a polite conversation anymore! We've also lost the basics of politeness and decorum -- "Please" and "Thank you" have seemingly fallen by the wayside and I can no longer act like it's OK! Manners Matter!!! As Paddington's Aunt Lucy says, "When you're kind and polite, the world will be right!"

2. Writing and mailing letters -- Snail mail is such a delight. Giving and receiving post is just such a sweet, old fashioned thing that I wish we brought back. YES, it' takes a little longer to relay a message that you could convey in seconds over text, but I can't decorate a text in stickers and flowery washi-tape, now can I?!

3. Graciously shutting down bad behavior without making a spectacle -- This is 100% a lost art, but you all with southern grandmothers will know exactly what I'm talking about. When someone is acting in an offensive or crude manner, instead of making a scene or responding in kind, we've lost the ability to harness ice in our veins and say with a polite, tight smile, "I'm sure you didn't intend for that to sound as bad as it did," and then totally pivoting and changing the topic of the conversation. Of course, if the behavior is outrageous, it may warrant a scolding of more sterner-stuff, but we've lost the ability to shut down an uncomfortable conversation with grace and tact, and what a shame that is!

4. Saying "Excuse Me" when walking in front of someone -- This is just self-explanatory. It's weird that we will cut each other off without acknowledging each other's presence; saying "excuse me" conveys that we see each other, and that we aren't invisible or an inconvenience to be side-stepped.

5. Not Calling Too Early or Too Late in the Day -- Look, it's not professional (or particularly gracious) to be calling me at 8:00am or 9:00pm. Truthfully, I'd prefer you not to call me at all -- just text me or shoot me an E-mail, please, I'm begging you - but if you HAVE to reach me, respect my time by calling between 9am-7pm, alright?!

6. Being Punctual -- Oh boy. This one really gets me; if you are not punctual, I'm going to assume (unless there's been some kind of emergency!) that you are not considerate of my time, that my time is not important to you, and that you just generally have no regard for your fellow man. You probably kick puppies and steal candy from babies, don't you? BE ON TIME.

7. Saying Yes Ma'am/No Sir to Elders -- I know this is normal for southerners, but that there are people who will be offended if they are addressed this way; however, I think saying Yes Ma'am/No Sir is such a sign of respect and deference to those who are older (and hopefully, presumably) wiser than we are. It's just a respect thing, really, and I think it serves as an important reminder that the world is not all about us -- there are other people inhabiting space here, too, and we are called to be kind and treat them with dignity.

Am I forgetting anything? Probably. Oh well -- I'm off to brew some Earl Grey and write a letter to my sister. <3