Frequently Asked Questions - Children

You've heard the word gentleman before?  Just because you are a boy or a man doesn't automatically make you a gentleman. Let’s talk about what does. Learning to be a gentleman starts early in life. Start by practicing at home with your mother or sister.

Open and hold the entrance and exit doors for them. Also, help girls and ladies to be seated by pulling out their chairs for them. Practice opening car doors for them too. As you grow up and begin dating, your date will appreciate being treated like a young lady and her parents will like you as well.

When riding on a bus or train and all of the seats are taken, a gentleman will always offer his seat to a lady. If she says “no, thank you” insist that she take your seat anyway. When she does, she should respond with a “thank you.” Gentlemen should also keep themselves nice and neat. Good personal hygiene and grooming habits are important to practice every day.

Here are some personal hygiene and grooming tips to remember:

• Keep yourself neat and clean
• Take a bath or shower every day and don’t forget to clean your ears
• Brush your teeth two or more times per day
• Wash your face
• Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and before you eat
• Comb or brush your hair every day
• Put on clean clothes
• Use deodorant
• Tuck in your shirt
• Never play in your dressy clothes
• Tie your shoes
• Always clean up after yourself

Remember, a real gentleman always has good etiquette. Next, we’ll look at what makes a girl a young lady.

Just because you are born female does not automatically make you a young lady. Let’s talk about what does.

Learning to be a young lady starts early in life. The following tips will help you begin practicing:

Standing and Walking

• Hold your shoulders up and back.
• Keep your stomach in.
• Tuck your hips under.
• When walking, be sure to pick your feet up. Never drag your feet.
• Hold your head up.
• Let your arms swing naturally.

Sitting

• Always sit with your legs together even if you are wearing pants.
• If you are wearing a dress or skirt, smooth the skirt or dress underneath you before sitting.
• Cross your legs at the ankles.
• Be sure to let boys help you with your chair and thank them when they do.

Personal Hygiene and Grooming

• Always keep yourself neat and clean.
• Take a bath or shower every day and don’t forget to clean your ears.
• Wash your face.
• Brush your teeth two or more times per week.
• Use lotion.
• Use deodorant.
• Do not bite your nails.
• Wash your hands after using the bathroom and before eating.
• Comb or brush your hair every day.
• Put on clean clothes.
• Be sure to clean up after yourself.

Also, allow gentlemen to open and hold doors for you. Be sure to thank them. Using profanity (swearing), lying, popping gum loudly and talking extremely loud are not ladylike.

A real young lady always has good etiquette. Remember, if you want to be treated like a young lady, you must act like one.