Door etiquette and raising respectful young men

1w ago·1 min read

My wife caught our teenager not holding the door for his sister and she asked him why. He shrugged like it was nothing. We had to sit down and talk about what it means to show respect through small gestures. Opening doors, using yes sir and yes ma'am, listening more than you talk. These things seem small but they're the foundation of being a gentleman. The world doesn't need more tough guys. It needs more men with character.

6 comments172 views

Comments(6)

CCodyNew Dad1w ago

Door etiquette seems small but it's really about awareness of other people. Once they get it, it becomes automatic. Worth the conversation even if it's awkward

BBrandonRegular1w ago

Good call from your wife bringing it up. Small things like holding doors teach them to think about others before themselves. That carries into everything else

OOscar D.Regular1w ago

Those conversations are tough but necessary. At least you caught it and had the talk instead of letting it slide. Respect for women starts with little things like that, and he's at the perfect age to learn it.

DDom F.Regular1w ago

Teenager shrug is the worst, but sounds like you and your wife handled it right. Respect has to be taught, especially door etiquette. Keep reinforcing it and it'll stick eventually.

LLeo R.Regular1w ago

Good on you for addressing it right away. That shrug would drive me nuts too. We're always working on this stuff with ours. It's one of those things that takes repetition but it matters, especially for how he treats his sister.

MMike C.Regular1w ago

The shrug is the worst response. My teenager did something similar and I realized he genuinely hadn't thought about it. Had to walk him through the why, not just the what