Remember, three important ideas shape good manners--custom, common sense, and consideration.
Custom is the habit of doing things a certain way. For example, in Western culture, most adults greet one another by shaking hands.
Common sense is what makes sense to most people. Ask your child, is it polite to push your way up an escalator just because you want to get to the top faster?
Consideration is thinking about the way the other person feels. Being rude to someone is bad manners--not because a book says so, but because it hurts that person's feelings.
If we teach these basic ideas at home, then our children should behave well in public. But be warned: If you tell your children what they're supposed to do, then fail to practice those rules yourself - well, your children might just do what you do, not what you say.
Practice what you preach
Here are a few suggestions to help you guide your children to use good manners, at home and anywhere else they roam.