Political correctness
Political correctness, often calls simply PC, is concerned with avoiding certain attitudes, actions and, above all, forms of expression which suggest prejudice and are likely to cause offence, This may be against older people with a particular skin colour, racial background or physical disability
Political correctness developed in the 1980s as an ideal of intellectuals and feminists in the US and later in Britain. Now the phrase is often used in a negative way to refer to the more extreme ideas and especially the attempt to change the language by replacing words said to have negative associations with new, often clumsy phrases that, to many people, seem just as negative. Many people are also doubtful whether changing words will remove prejudice in people’s minds or in the social system.
In the 1960s and 1970s public debate caused many people to accept the principle that discrimination is wrong. Changes of many kinds have happened in school and offices. Where once schoolchildren celebrated only Christian holidays such as Christmas, they now often learn about the holidays of other religious and ethnic groups. History was traditionally taught from the point of view of white people, but now more children learn about the history and culture of other groups in the community. In offices sexual and racial harassment are not allowed. The PC movement has also been against stereotyping, especially of women and black people, and making jokes against minority groups. Politicians, public relations officers and others became afraid of being politically incorrect.
A major concern of political correctness has been to avoid racist or sexist language that will offend particular groups. However some language changes are much older than the PC movement. MS has been used for along time as a title for women who do not wish to identify themselves as being either married (Mrs) or single (Miss). A few other PC phrases, not ably chair or chairperson instead of chairman, are also fairly common. More recent changes in the US include saying African American instead of Black, and Native American instead of Indian.
Other changes have been less widely accepted. For example, the words blind and deaf were felt to suggest something negative, so people began using visually impaired and hearing impairing, which, they believed, did not carry the same negative associations. Other examples of less acceptable PC terms include vertically challenged (short) differently sized (fat), physically challenged (disabled), economically exploited (poor), involuntarily leisured (unemployed), and domestic operative (housewife). As a result, many people came to the conclusion that, although political correctness might in itself be desirable, some of the conclusion that, although political correctness might in itself be desirable, some of the language associated with it is ridiculous.
Punctuality
Most Americans and British people would agree that it is good manners to be punctual for an appointment. Arriving on time for formal events such as a business meeting or an interview is important. If Somebody arrives late for a job interview it may suggest that they are not reliable or not interested in the job. Many people try to arrive a few minutes early for an appointment to avoid the risk of rushing in at the last minute. Even in less formal situations people are generally expected to think about the person they are meeting and not to keep them waiting unnecessarily.
People are also expected to arrive on time for social events, especially weddings. Traditionally, only the bride is allowed to be late. People are generally more relaxed about the time they arrive for more informal social occasions. When meeting a friend for lunch at a restaurant people try to arrive at the time arranged, or no more than five minute late. If they are later than this the person they are meeting well start to think they are not going to come at all. However, when invited to dinner in somebody’s home it in actually considered polite to arrive a few minutes late. Under no circumstances should guests arrive early. Some formal invitations to dinner may say ‘seven for seven-thirty’, meaning that guests should arrive any time after 7 p.m. in order to be ready to eat at 7.30 p.m. At a party, however, people may arrive an hour or more after the start time written on the invitation.
If somebody does arrive late, they are expected to apologize. Depending on the circumstances and how late they are, people may say, ‘I’m sorry I’m late’ or ‘Sorry to keep you waiting’. If they are very late they may feel obliged to give an explanation as well, e.g. ‘I’m sorry I’m so late, but the traffic was bad.’
People expect concerts, play etc. to start at the time advertised, and if they are kept waiting a long time they may start a slow handclap to slow that they are impatient. But anyone who arrives late for a show may not be allowed in until there is a convenient break in the performance. People also expect public transport to depart and arrive on time ad get very frustrated if delays are frequent.
Manners
Children are taught good manners, or simply manner, so that when they are older they will automatically show respect and consideration for other people.
In Britain good manners were once seen as proof of a person’s worth, as in the old saying ‘manners maketh man’. Thought attitudes have become more tolerant over the years, people still tend to judge others according to how they behave. People may be said to have no manners if they are rude or behave without thought. For instance, somebody who is polite and courteous, who picks their nose in front of others. or belches, or yawns without putting their hand in front of their mouth, or who speaks rudely to somebody, will attract criticism. On the other hand, a person who is polite and courteous and who respects the privacy of other, is much more likely to win approval and respect.
Ideas about appropriate personal behavior vary from country to country, and it can be difficult in a foreign country to know what its people consider to be good manners.
Please and thank you
British and American parents often tell their children that ‘please’ is the magic word: if the children remember to say ‘please’, their parents are more likely to give them the things they ask for. ‘Please’ is used in many situations. People generally say ‘please’ whenever they ask for something, whether it is for goods in shop, for help, for a favour or for information.
People are also taught to say ‘thank you’ or ‘thank’ when somebody has given them something or done something for them. In a shop many British people say ‘thank you’ several times at the checkout, e.g. when the operator tells them the total cost of their goods, when he or she gives them their change or gives back their credit card, and sometimes again before they leave.
After receiving a present it is good manners to say ‘thank you’ and sound pleased. Some people add a specific comment, e.g. ‘That’s great-red’s my favourite colour!’ When a present is sent by mail it is polite to send a thank-you note, a short letter or card to thank the person who sent it and tell them how much you like it. It is also polite to write and say ‘thank you’ after you have been invited out for a meal or been to stay with somebody.
Table manners
Good manners are important at meal times, though people worry less about table manners than they once did now that many meals are less formal. When eating at a table with other people, it is considered polite to keep your napkin (= a piece of material or paper used to wipe your mouth) below the table on your lap, to chew with your mouth closed and not talk with food in your mouth, to keep your elbows off the table, and to eat fairly slowly. It is bad manners to take a lot of food all at once, or to take more until across the table for it.
When invited to a meal at somebody else’s house people often take a bottle of wine or chocolates or flowers, as a gift. Apart from this, it is not usual to give presents to people you do not know well. It is not considered polite to look round other people’s houses without being invited to do so, and people usually ask where the toilet is rather than going to look for it. Many people do not smoke and visitors should ask permission before they smoke in some body’s house. Close friends are much less formal in each other’s houses and may get their own drinks and help to clear away the meal.
Formal and informal manners
Good manners do not have to be formal. It is friendly as well as polite to say ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’ to somebody you meet, to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to family and friend as well as to strangers and to apologize if you hurt or upset somebody. A warm tone of voice and a smile are also important.
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 difference, most adults use each other’s first names straightaway. IN shops and banks, on aircraft, ect. Customer are often addressed respectfully as ‘Sir’ or ‘Madam’ to show that they are important to the company. People are expected to arrive on time for both business and social events and it is considered bad manners to be late or not to telephone know if you are delayed.
Manners are expected even the situations when it is imposition to talk. A well-mannered driver may, for instance, slow down to allow some body to cross the road or make a gesture of thanks when another and to leave the washroom clean after use.
In the past but less commonly today, people often bought books on etiquette to learn how to behave in polite society. Such books give suggestions for behavior in very formal situations and do not help much with normal life. In Br