What is the Difference Between Manners and Behavior?

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The difference between manners and behavior lies in their definition and the way they are expressed:

  • Manners: These are codes of conduct that a person is expected to exhibit in social contexts. They reflect social norms and the demands of the social context. Manners are considered the outermost layer of a person's personality. Examples of good manners include giving up your seat for someone else, not making noise in the absence of a teacher, or tipping a waiter.
  • Behavior: This refers to the organized ways of thinking and acting that express a person's beliefs, opinions, attitudes, and values. Behavior reflects the person's own conscience and is considered the deeper nature of a person. It is more focused on the way someone acts.

In summary:

  • Manners are socially expected codes of conduct.
  • Behavior reflects a person's beliefs, opinions, attitudes, and values.

Manners can be thought of as the superficial layer of a person's behavior, while their true character and behavior are expressed at a deeper level. A person may exhibit good manners and yet have a poor behavior, as manners are often influenced by social expectations and norms.

Comparative Table: Manners vs Behavior

Here is a table comparing the differences between manners and behavior:

Feature Manners Behavior
Definition Manners are learned behaviors that reflect a person's attitude and are consistent across communities. Behavior refers to how a person acts in various circumstances, which can change depending on the situation.
Focus Manners focus on how you treat others, showing respect, consideration, and kindness. Behavior encompasses a broader range of actions and reactions, including etiquette, which is a code of conduct and a set of societal rules.
Change Manners remain largely unchanged across societies and time, as they are based on universal principles of respect and consideration. Behavior, especially etiquette, can change with a change in societal customs and norms.
Examples - Saying please and thank you.
- Keeping your mouth closed while chewing.
- Holding a door open for an elderly person.
- Pulling a chair out for a lady.
- Letting another person go ahead of you in line just to be kind.
- Utensil usage during a formal meal.
- Clothing choices for different occasions.
- How you present yourself in various social situations.

In summary, manners are learned behaviors that reflect a person's attitude and focus on how you treat others, while behavior encompasses a broader range of actions and reactions, including etiquette. Manners remain largely unchanged across societies and time, whereas behavior, especially etiquette, can change with a change in societal customs and norms.