Well, this may cause a storm of controversy. Here is what I suggested for MANners in church and in your normal talking to one another.
Talking
• Avoid talking longer than the person(s) you are talking to.
• Ask questions of others before launching out on a long description about you.
• Look the one you talk to in the eye, but glance away occasionally to break eye contact. The listener is expected to maintain eye contact and not glance away.
• Avoid the use of words like, suck, fart, crap, bull, pissed off, and other objectionable terms
• Never interrupt, but if you do, ask permission as you do it.
• Seek to use names often in conversation, especially with new acquaintances. Individuals more than ten years older than you should be addressed with Mr. or Mrs. and only altered by invitation.
• Say, "Please" and "Thank you" often. It shows respect and appreciation. In addition, if they are thanked, then say, "You're welcome".
Church manners
• Do not enter or exit the auditorium when the Bible is being read or prayer made.
• Offer your seat to a lady if there are no other seats available
• If two or more folks are talking together, wait to be invited in to the conversation. If you are standing to the side for more than 30 seconds without an invitation, this is a good clue that you not desired in the conversation.
• Go to new people and introduce yourself. Ask where they are from and seek out any ways to serve them.
• Sit in places where most folks don’t like to
• When you meet someone new be sure to introduce them to at least one or two others by name.
Good stuff. Thinking about this, I guess many manners are inherently bound within a certain culture. For example, "never interrupt." In some cultures this would be completely laughable as there is no stigma at all attached to interruption (at least in normal conversation). Same with things like eye contact (in some cultures prolonged eye contact would be offensive).
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was a good part of our conversation. We also had a spirited discussion about when cultures need to be re-formed on the basis of Biblical truth.
ReplyDeleteI don't see why a Christian blog written by a Christian Pastor has to use dirty language especially the "f" word !?!
ReplyDeleteJamie A.
I'd add below the "Two or more folks in conversation" one "If you're in conversation with one or more folks about not-super-personal-stuff, and someone's standing by awkwardly, invite them in to the conversation" just to make things a little easier for all parties!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Mr Martin ;)
These entries are so legalistic.
ReplyDeleteJared