“Speech is the voice of the heart.” Anna Quindlen
Good manners are something we are taught since childhood. They are drilled into us through adolescence and by the time we are adults, they have become a habit. Our manners shape our personality and give us character. They are the binoculars through which the world looks at us. They define us and make us the person we are.
Although everyone is instilled with and is familiar with good manners, the one good manner which ranks the highest among all is the manner of ‘Speech’. How we speak, when we speak, what we speak and whether we give others a chance to speak, speaks volumes about us.
Speak Softly
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Speak Softly and the world strains their ears to listen. Shout, and the world runs away from you. Anything spoken softly sounds soothing. Shouting the truth out loud may not suffice, but even a lie spoken softly will be accepted readily!
Speak Slowly
“Mind your speech a little lest you should mar your fortunes.” – William Shakespeare
Make it Slow; as you may remember from childhood fairytales ‘slow and steady wins the race’. You don’t need to catch a flight and your speech shouldn’t portray as if you have to. Don’t speak in a rush or else you’ll sound all muddled and harried and have the same effect on the person listening to you. Speaking slowly may slow you down but calms your nerves and ferments your pace.
Speak Sweetly
“Speak Sweetly! So That, If Ever You Have To Eat Your Words They Don’t Taste Bad…” – Unknown.
Mountains can be moved with sweet speech. Sweetness of the tongue makes you affable and attracts people to you like a moth to fire.
Speak Soulfully
“So yes, I say things I regret constantly, and I just can’t help it.” – Kathy Griffin
Speak only what is required. Your speech should come from your soul. Don’t speak gibberish and unwanted murmurs as you waste your own and others’ time by indulging in useless banter which is unnecessary.
Speak Sparingly
“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” – Abraham Lincoln
Only speak as much as required, no more, no less. Don’t give advice when not asked for. Unwarranted suggestions and counseling is a pleasure to no one.
Speak at the Right Time Only
“The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.” – Joshua Harris
Timing is important. Speech sounds good only when spoken at the correct time; otherwise, it’s like a thorn in the foot. There are times when you should just let silence be rather than intercepting it with unnecessary speech.
Speak Only After You Listen
“You never really learn much from hearing yourself speak.” – George Clooney
It’s most important to listen before you speak. If you don’t let others speak, no one will want to listen to you either. It’s imperative to listen as it supplements our knowledge. Only after listening will our speech be more effective.
Good Manners in Speech shows the world our upbringing and highlights our temperament. Small little acts of thoughtfulness applied in your speech can help you conquer the world and make others love you in return.
Visual Courtesy:http://www.flickr.com/photos/strunkfacejones/
