Talking point: Do you have good manners?

The decline of good manners is a recurrent topic whenever we talk about how society is changing. I remember my grandparents telling me the way good manners were declining, my parents telling me about my generation's lack of manners and me telling my daughter a similar story.

How would you define “good manners”?
Is it knowing proper etiquette when you’re in a restaurant?
Saying “please” and “thank you”?
Being kind and thoughtful of others?
Do you agree with those who say that civility in general is declining everywhere?
Do you think having good manners is important?
Do you think you have good manners yourself?
How would you rate your own manners?
Do you think our society in general is becoming less civil and more rude? Why or why not?
Do you remember an occasion when somebody was impolite to you?
Do you remember an occasion when you could have been more polite to someone else?

This was the topic of the Student Opinion in The New York Times The Learning Network blog in early November.

As a background article to the topic they used A Last Bastion of Civility, the South, Sees Manners Decline by Kim Severson, which you can also read before you get together with your conversation group to discuss this topic.

In your discussion, it is expected that some anecdotes about people behaving rudely will come up. Use the following expressions to showing surprise and react to what your friends tell you. 

Really?
It can’t be!

I can’t believe you / it! / my ears!
Reply questions: Did you? Have you? Is she?
Exclamations: Oh dear! Oh my God! (That’s) incredible / amazing!

Talking point: Do you keep a diary or journal?

Keeping a detailed account of one’s life–whether the writing is meant for the writer only, posted on a blog for all to see, or shared with someone close to you- is common practice.

Do you take part in it?
Do you write or have you ever written for an audience or just yourself? Why?
Have you become more–or less–active in chronicling your life and times as you get older?

This our latest talking point, inspired in a similar post from The New York Times Learning Network.

If you wish to find out some background information about the topic, you can also read Dominique Browning's article Burning the Diaries, where she reflects on the role keeping a diary has played in her life.

Do you identify with Ms. Browning’s description of writing a personal account of her days?
If you write or blog about your life, why do you do it?
Does writing help you? If so, how?
Do you protect your writing from others, or do you want people to read it?
Has your personal writing ever caused you trouble with other people?
Even if you don't keep a diary or a personal blog you may know someone who does, and perhaps you can answer the same questions about that person.

When you get together with your conversation group, you may be surprised at some of your friends' opinions or experiences. You can use some of the expressions below to show surprise:

Really?
It can’t be!
I can’t believe you / it! / my ears!
Reply questions: Did you? Have you? Is she?
Exclamation: Oh dear! Oh my God! (That’s) incredible / Amazing!