Manners

Phil and I have been living with Mo and Dave for nearly two weeks now. I have to confess that initially I was worried, which was completely unnecessary as I'm having a really good time here. Usually, I'm the type of person that needs space and I enjoy spending time on my own so I was anxious. Thankfully, Mo and Dave are the type of people that you want to be around, so it balances itself out. 

I'm also a bit of an over-thinker and before we moved in I was having nightmares about what would be expected of us and I wanted to set some house rules such as who would buy the food and toiletries, who would cook etc. It helped that I talked it through with them before we moved in and I have been told in no uncertain terms that this is my home. I should feel comfortable and shouldn't need to ask if I want to use the bread, milk or Molton Brown - I'm still working my way up to the Molton Brown; I don't want to get used to it and then have to go back to Bayliss and Harding!

Despite being told that I don't need to ask if I can have something (drink, sandwich etc), I just can't help myself. I was brought up to have very good manners (thanks Mum) and whilst sometimes we can go too far with it - yes, I have been known to say thank you to a cash machine and an automatic door in the past - it's something that I'm not likely to change. I like my good manners and it saddens me that something so basic eludes some people (and even whole nations but I'll not go into that *tongue firmly in cheek).

Here is a list of basic behaviours that I believe everybody should adhere to:

1. Say 'Please', 'Thank you' and 'You're welcome' as necessary. As my entire family will tell you, even my Nieces and Nephews under the age of ten, manners costs nothing. 
2. Form an orderly queue - if you queue jump and push in front of me I will give you a dirty look behind your back.
3. Thank me if I hold the door open for you. I'm going out of my way to help you. The least you can do is acknowledge that.
4. If you bump into me, say 'Sorry'. I will probably say it too, even if it was your fault.
5. Do not speak to me with your mouth full of food or make smacking noises as you eat; close your mouth and I will do the same.

Good manners display respect, care and consideration. So, Mo and Dave, no matter how many times you tell me that I don't need to ask for something, please don't be surprised if I insist on doing so. Love you x