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Good manners and etiquette are not complicated. Anyone can demonstrate courtesy and consideration for others—the stuff of which good manners are made—without knowing the specific rules of etiquette.

And no one is born knowing those rules. They are learned gradually—at home, in school, at work, and in everyday contacts with both friends and strangers. To expand their knowledge of good conduct, many people continue to read etiquette books as adults.

There are a number of reasons why people want to learn good manners and the rules of etiquette. Good manners help win friends. Naturally, people who treat other people with kindness and sympathy are most likely to become popular because they are considered good companions.

Good manners also help please members of the family, special friends, teachers, employers, and strangers like salespeople and law officers. Good manners help put people at ease, make them cooperative and just plain happy.

People who practice good manners and understand the rules of etiquette also make themselves happy. Knowing how to behave properly, in familiar as well as in strange situations, builds self-confidence. Meeting new people and visiting new places become pleasurable instead of frightening experiences.

Good manners begin at home. Even the youngest children quickly learn to say “please” and “thank you” when their parents, brothers, and sisters are courteous toward each other. Respect for family members can be demonstrated in many ways. Being on time for meals, showing responsibility in handling an allowance, and taking care of belongings are all part of manners at home. So are respecting privacy, sharing household chores, and taking turns using the telephone, television set, or family car.

Good manners are equally important at school. Paying attention in class and handing in neatly prepared homework are ways to show respect for teachers. Classmates can show mutual consideration by respecting each other’s property, by not “showing off” superior knowledge or possessions, and by making new students feel welcome.

On the job, good manners mean arriving on time, being reliable, and caring about neatness in both work and personal grooming. Thoughtfulness toward other employees helps improve the working atmosphere. Employers appreciate willingness to work and accept criticism and an ability to keep confidences.

Any number of situations in social life call for a knowledge of etiquette. For instance, knowing how to make proper introductions helps avoid confusion and embarrassment at parties. Knowing how to order from a menu and whom and how much to tip, can help make a date go smoothly. Today, when foreign travel is so popular, the person who learns in advance the customs of a country he intends to visit will increase his enjoyment of the trip as well as leave a good impression in the host country.

Sometimes the rules of etiquette one has learned may not seem to fit a particular situation. Then it is up to the individual to use his own common sense and good judgment in deciding what sort of behavior is appropriate. Naturalness and sincerity can help him master even the most complicated situations.

reference: https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/etiquette/274218