Manners are the unenforced standards of conduct which demonstrate that a person is proper, caring, non-grouchy, polite, and refined. They are like laws in that they codify or set a standard for human behavior, but they are unlike laws in that there is no formal system for punishing transgressions, the main informal "punishment" being social disapproval. They are a kind of norm. What is considered "mannerly" is highly susceptible to change with time, geographical location, social stratum, occasion, and other factors.

Manners around the world starts with respect for differences.

Not all cultures are the same. Generally speaking, you can be yourself as long as you remain friendly and courteous. Always keep in mind that you are the guest in

someone else's country.

For example:

In Europe, do not address people by there first names. Mr. and Mrs. are more commonly used.

Shaking hands is an important business ritual throughout Europe and Britain.

In most countries a handshake should be gentle. A firm handshake can show aggression.

In Asia, instead of a handshake a person will bow from the waist, and the person with the lower status bows more deeply.

In Italy and Russia, close friends will often greet each other with a kiss.

In Europe, men traditionally walk to the left of the ladies. They generally enter a restaurant ahead of the lady - to lead the way to the table.

In some countries, people feel comfortable standing closer to each other, when they are talking. It would be rude to back away. In other countries, like China and

Japan, they want more distance between people.

In Holland, they always use utensils. Many Dutch even eat bread with a knife and fork!

In Sweden, you keep your voice down. Swedes are quiet people.

Americans like to whistle, when they are applauding, but in Europe it is known as a type of booing.

In Russia, whistling by women is unladylike.

In some parts of the Middle East, shaking your head "no" means "yes" and nodding your head "yes" means "no".

In a number of countries, keep eye contact with the speaker is rude. They show respect by not looking straight at the person talking.

Give people a chance to answer their phone! They could be outside in their garden,

knitting, baking, washing the car, or at another end of the house. Don’t just ring three times

and hang up! It's annoying when you stopped doing something and just as the phone gets to

your ear the caller hangs up!

Don’t spend an hour (or hours) chatting to someone. Don't

Don't chew with your mouth open. It's an obvious rule, but one that's easy to forget when

you're enjoying a delicious meal.