Tie your shoes.
Zip your coat.
Wash your hands.
Chew with your mouth closed.
Say please and thank you.
Hold the door for others.
Share.
The list of essential lessons we impart to our children seems endless. Beyond the basics like learning their ABCs or mastering how to drive, we must also instill values that help them grow into considerate members of society. This goes beyond behaving well at home or in school; it extends to public settings, where we need to ensure they don’t turn into entitled brats. Unfortunately, many parents seem to overlook this vital aspect of parenting, resulting in kids who leave trash strewn across the floor or create messes in hotel rooms, thinking it’s the staff’s responsibility to clean up after them.
These same kids often abandon their popcorn and soda cups in movie theaters, despite the presence of trash cans, or treat restaurant staff poorly, leaving meager tips and making unreasonable demands. The sad truth is that these behaviors often reflect the attitudes of their parents. If children witness their parents belittling waitstaff, they may adopt similar behaviors as adults.
Amidst this, a heartwarming story emerged recently from a diner in Maplewood, MI, where an employee recounted a touching encounter with a group of sixth-grade boys. “Today my faith in future generations was restored!!” the waitress exclaimed in a viral Facebook post. She shared how seven boys came in excitedly to order wings, and despite her initial skepticism about their ability to pay, they proved to be exceptionally polite. They expressed gratitude, promised to tip well, and even instructed each other to pay attention when she spoke. Their good manners and respectfulness were so impressive that a nearby customer decided to cover their bill and encouraged them to pay it forward.
This is how it’s done, folks. Service employees deserve to hear “please” and “thank you.” Even though their job revolves around serving food and clearing tables, they are still human beings deserving of respect.
So let’s add to our list of lessons:
- When someone serves you, look them in the eye and express your gratitude.
- After finishing a meal, clean up after yourself.
- If you happen to drop something, pick it up and find a trash can.
Essentially, don’t act like an entitled jerk.
Parents, it all starts with you. When you take your kids to see a movie, do you carry out your trash or leave it for someone else? If you’re at a restaurant and your order takes longer than expected, do they see you treating the staff with kindness? If your child is dropping food on the floor and laughing about it, or trashing a hotel room without a second thought, then it’s time to reflect on your role in teaching them respect.
Kids observe how you handle situations. They learn how to treat service workers, cashiers, and custodians by watching your behavior. If they see you picking up litter or leaving a tip for the cleaning staff, they’ll likely emulate that behavior. If they witness you ignoring messes or leaving poor tips, they may follow suit.
A huge shoutout to the parents of those sixth-grade boys for raising thoughtful, respectful kids. Society should celebrate and promote positive behavior among our youth. Too often, tweens and teens get a bad reputation, but there are many kids out there who are striving to be kind and considerate. Let’s make sure they get the recognition they deserve.
For more parenting insights, check out our other blog post on how to raise kind kids. And for a deeper dive into home insemination options, visit Make A Mom, a trusted resource in this area. For excellent information on pregnancy and IVF, don’t forget to check NHS IVF Resources.
Summary:
Teaching teens to tip well and maintain cleanliness in public spaces is essential for fostering respect and kindness. By modeling good behavior and instilling these values from a young age, parents can help shape considerate future citizens. Recognizing and celebrating positive actions in the younger generation encourages a culture of respect and gratitude.
Keyphrase: teaching teens to tip and clean
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