Formal and Informal Manners
It is polite to say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ to somebody you meet, to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to family and friends as well as to strangers, and to (23) _____ if you hurt or upset somebody. A warm tone of voice and a smile are also (24) ______.
People shake hands when they are introduced to somebody for the first time but, except in business, rarely do so when they meet again. Nowadays, unless there is a great age (25) ______ , most adults use each other’s first names straightaway. In shops and banks, on aircraft, etc. customers are often addressed (26) _____ as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ to show that they are important to the company.
Manners are expected even in situations when it is (27) _____ to talk. A well-mannered driver may, for instance, slow down to (28) _____ somebody to cross the road or make a gesture of thanks when another driver lets him or her pass.
In the past but less commonly today, people often bought books on etiquette to learn how to (29)_____ in polite society. Such books give suggestions for behaviour in very formal situations and do not help much with normal life.
Formal manners are (30) ______ of the British stereotype. British people used to shake hands when meeting somebody, make polite conversation on general topics, but otherwise remain distant. Men used to (31) _____ their hat when a woman passed, walk on the outside of the pavement when with a woman so that she did not get splashed by traffic, and hold doors open for her. (32) _____ feelings under control was also part of good manners, and it was not thought appropriate to show anger, affection, etc. in public.
