Date night is a habit we started many years ago . We are responsible for teaching our young men manners. I would have one of my boys properly ask me out on a date. With that, I would drive of course, a 7 year old can get arrested for such things.
There were certain things we wanted them to accomplish on these dates, such as,
- They had to come up to the door and ask for me. Meet the parents, which they would have done prior to the date. (Meet dad?…..they thought that was funny).
- Reach out and shake hands with all adults and meet or acknowledge others in the room.. (Yes they laughed at this as well because they had to acknowledge their brother! Ha!)
- Open all doors
- Pull out her chair when dining out
- They had to learn to have conversations with young ladies. I would say, “now ask me questions….I just don’t want to stare at you eating.” They would say, “I don’t know what to ask you mom.”
- Have good table manners. Wait for her to begin eating, don’t just dive in the moment the food arrives.
- Pay the bill, from the cash dad gave you.
- The goal, to get to know this young lady. Movies, you can only stare at the screen. Dinners, family gatherings, a horse show, really gives the opportunity to talk and ask each other questions.
- Get her home before curfew, walk her to the door to ensure she gets in safely .
- Thank her for the date.
The boys and I got lots of stares when we were out on dates, a dressed up seven year old and his mom. I don’t know, I think they liked it, it made them feel manly! The important fact of the matter was to practice their dating manners.
Years later, I went to see one of my sons while he was working for a cutting horse trainer. We decided to head to the big city for lunch. When we arrived at the restaurant, he opened the door for me, let me walk in front of him and we sat down and proceeded to order lunch. There was a couple sitting next to us with three rambunctious kids. They starred at us the entire time, whispering to one another, and trying to manage their kids. After finishing their meal, they hectically gathered up their kids, all their belongings and proceeded to the checkout. The dad, while chasing a kid next to us said, “Ya’ll need to have one of these!”
I busted into laughter, pointed at my son and said….”He is one of these.” That couple thought I was a cougar! Oh my gosh! Where did that come from? I know I’m not the only mother who goes to lunch with her adult son.
That just goes to prove……manners are becoming a lost art so take it as a compliment if someone thinks you’re a cougar when you’re out with your son.
What manners do you think most people still possess? Which ones have gone out the window? Thank you for your comments
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