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Many say actions speak louder than words, which is why telling people you can do something is not equal to actually doing it. That’s also why sometimes, when an individual does something, said action can speak a thousand words on their character or upbringing, either good or bad.

Members of the ‘Ask Reddit’ subreddit recently discussed signs that show that a person was raised right. From cleaning up after themselves to being polite to service workers, and beyond, their actions usually speak for themselves, so if you’re curious what people perceive as signs of good upbringing, scroll down to find their thoughts on the list below.

Below you will also find Bored Panda’s interview with a licensed clinical psychologist, professor at the California School of Professional Psychology, and author of Teaching Kids to Think, Dr. Ronald Stolberg, who was kind enough to answer a few of our questions on how to instill good manners in children.

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#1

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Nothing. Sometimes the best people are good people not because their parents raised them that way, but because they used their parents as an example of how NOT to act.

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#2

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing One time, I drunk dialed my ex and I called the wrong number. It was this sweet old guy and we talked for an hour about how I shouldn’t call my ex and that I deserve better and how I just need to go to sleep and rest. I have no clue who this man is but I think about him often. He was a great human!

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Swinger Panda
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love it when a good human shows up at just the right moment.

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#3

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing How they treat animals and people who are vulnerable.

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Sherman
Sherman
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. I don't trust ppl who don't like animals n I don't like ppl who don't atleast respect them.

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Discussing the importance of parents teaching their child good manners, Dr. Ronald Stolberg emphasized that it’s extremely important to do that, but not for the reason you might think.

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“Children who know what the expectations are for their behavior display less anxiety, are more confident, and can act naturally because they know what the expectations are for their behavior,” he explained. “Less anxiety and more confidence is something we all want for our kids.”
#4

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing I was working at a grocery store gas station in Arizona during the height of the pandemic. One summer night, a customer came in and pointed out an elderly man sitting in a wheelchair near the back of the building.

Long story short, it is obvious that he was dumped there. He was far away from the assisted living facility where he was staying, had no idea where he was, and given the fact that it was 110 degrees, it was lucky that he was alive.

That lady who alerted us to him? She stayed the entire time, helped figure out where he was from (he didn't speak much English), and even called her kids to say "mom's not gonna be home for awhile." She finally left after he'd been loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital almost 2 hours later.

Whomever had dropped him off? Worst of humanity. This woman? She was raised right.

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Joseph Dixon
Joseph Dixon
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just when you lost faith in humanity, you hear another story to back it up!

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#5

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing When they can win a game and lose a game both without turning into a f*****g a*****e.

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Sophie
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3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

please higher up, but according to my first hand experience it is mostly men who can't handle loosing... They startto shout like they'd be m*****d or starts being toxic like how lame is the other player in their teams and delete the game and etc... I experience this on daily basis. (Mostly its exactly their faults).

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“Parents need to teach by example,” the expert continued. “Lots of research going back to Albert Bandura proves that our children are active observers and that they learn a lot more by watching and observing than they do through a lecture.

“The best outcome is when parents model the expected behavior, and when they observe concerning deviations, they have a calm conversation with their child and reinforce the desired manners. Then, the best way to get the desired behavior to become permanent is to reward the desired manners. Rewards can be praise, acknowledgement, or even a fun dessert or treat. Model behavior you want to see, then when you observe it happening organically, reward it,” Prof. Stolberg advised.
#6

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Nothing on their phone is ever played out loud in a public space.

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#7

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing I was back in my hometown riding the city bus, two middle school boys got on the bus and sat in the priority seating. After a little while the bus started filling, at one stop an elderly lady got on with a walker and a shopping bag. The two boys popped up to give her the seat and helped her with her things.
It may seem like a common thing, but I can guarantee it won't happen in my current city.

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Blondie23
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not common and clearly those boys are being raised right!

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#8

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing I'm a high school teacher. When it comes to getting kids into pairs of groups there's always a bit of awkward tension. There's always a few kids who don't have any friends and then I have to put them in a group and risk a negative reaction which makes everyone uncomfortable. When students notice, without me saying anything, who the kids are without friends and immediately go over and ask to be their partner or invite to join their group.

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Diolla
Diolla
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh. I AWAYS got picked last unless it was teams for basketball because I was the longest girl .

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“The best way to help your child develop good manners is for them to know explicitly what is expected of them,” Dr. Stolberg emphasized. “Not every family will think the same behaviors are important, so parents need to be clear what is expected in their family. I like to call these 'family rules'. Not every family will have the same rules, but a child that knows exactly what is expected in terms of their behavior is more likely to display the desired manners and behavior.”
#9

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Throwing away their fast food rubbish at a shopping center food court. I have distanced myself from someone because they said "that's the cleaner's job" no. The cleaner's job is to wipe the tables down, it's not a sit in restaurant, throw your damn rubbish out.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because it's "a person's job," doesn't mean that you make it more difficult for them.

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#10

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing They admit when they're wrong.

lingua_frankly , Alex Green / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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kissmychakram
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father would never admit when he was wrong, which is partly why I do. Nothing to do with being "raised right".

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#11

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing They are polite to minimum wage workers.

Lilli_Puff , Blake Wisz / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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Kobe (she)
Kobe (she)
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean : they are polite. (it is not okay to be unpolite to non-minimum wage workers, elderly, or anyone else for that matter).

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In an interview with Bored Panda, the expert noted that, when it comes to raising children, it’s difficult to determine what’s ‘right’. “Remember that there are significant cultural differences when it comes to things like making eye contact, shaking hands, speaking without being spoken to, and so on,” he said.

“Therefore, I think a child that is kind, considerate, and positive when talking about others was probably raised 'right' regardless of some of the other markers that we might associate with good manners, like making eye contact when speaking to you.”
#12

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Keeping trash in their pockets until they get to a trash can.

Kunfuzzle_Weed , Cup of Couple / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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keyboardtek
keyboardtek
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My wife comes back from every walk carrying a lot of trash. Living in a rural small town near the mountains one would think the people here have a greater respect for the environment, but nope, they still litter.

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#13

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing I'll brag. My son was a waiter at a popular spot. A tourist paid with cash, left no tip. My son noticed the bill was stuck with another of the same value (like when they come out of the ATM) so it was obviously not a tip. He went out and ran after the man to give him the money back. His coworkers asked why he didn't keep it. He said simply "it wasn't mine". Love that kid.

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Red PANda (she/they)
Red PANda (she/they)
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being kind even when you’re at a loss to do so…that takes some serious willpower

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#14

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing If they give you a ride somewhere and when dropping you off…watch to make sure you get in the door ok…they were raised right.

igy582 , Tim Samuel / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Bat cat in a hat
Bat cat in a hat
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When we (my group of friends, roughly the same age) started dating that was the advice of someone's older sister - if the date dropping you off doesn't wait until you're safe inside before going on their way, it's not worth a second date

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According to Dr. Stolberg, parents should do the best that they can to be good role models for the behavior they are looking for from their children. “It is also important to remember that nobody is perfect all the time. If parents can model that they sometimes struggle with their own manners it will help them be better teachers and be more patient while their children learn what is expected of them.

“Clear expectations, good modeling, reinforcing the desired behavior, and patience are required to teach kids good manners,” the expert summed up.
#15

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing They’re respectful to those with language barriers.

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Kobe (she)
Kobe (she)
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are so many of these topics so oddly specific? To be polite to .... To be respectful to... how the treat peolpe and/ or animals that.....Let me fix that : When they are polite and respectful. How they treat others and animals - there - easy as that.

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#16

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing How people treat other people who:
* Cannot possibly give them anything
* Are serving them

Also what they do when no one is looking, or when it would be unlikely they saw any consequences. (i.e. on anonymous forums on the Internet) 😂.

Lightsider , Ksenia Chernaya / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Julian
Julian
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had this discussion with my husband many times. We run a car repair shop and a clothing store. I currently run the store and he, the repair shop. How customers treat us is VERY different! Him they need, because their beloved car needs fixing and thus they are extremely polite. Me on the other hand, only provide material things that are not really needed so treating me like a bag of dog poo, or tossing things areound the store like there's no tomorrow, is par for the course. We both serve people but apparently we are not equally worth as humans.

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#17

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing A year after my mom died, in a moment of despair, I texted her a long message about how much I missed her and how sorry I was that we struggled to see eye to eye in her last months. I was distraught and wasn’t thinking clearly; it didn’t occur to me that her number may have been recycled. The new “owner” of her phone number texted me back and said something like, “Hey, you’ve got the wrong number, but I’m so sorry you’ve lost your mom. I’m sure she loved you and is watching over you”. I lost it. Good humans exist.

Ok_Entrance4289 , Nathan Dumlao / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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#18

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing I’m in my 30s and moved my dad up to where I live a few years ago. I came home from work one day and it was pouring rain. My dad had been waiting on the porch with an umbrella to walk me from my car so I would not get wet.

juliefryy , Craig Whitehead / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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#19

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Offering to help with tasks as a guest at someone's house. A friend of my wife consistently offers to help prepare food and clean after I cook dinner. Fabulous dude with excellent parents.

Jerome2232 , Sarah Chai / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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Blondie23
Blondie23
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother raised me to always help and clean and cook and whatever when at someone else's house. I questioned her once and she said to me that just because we are guests doesn't mean they are servants. It's just good manners to show appreciation and help out! So I always have, it's just a natural thing for me now....

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#20

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing The ones that pay attention to the overlooked people in a group and include them in the conversation too instead of treating them like a background character.

TaskMaster130 , cottonbro studio / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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L H
L H
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is done with good intentions, but we introverts would rather you didn't - some people don't want to join in with the group.

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#21

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing They make their kids clean up all the toys they get out when they come to my house!

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#22

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing They don’t expect something in return.

Teddy_OMalie64 , Markus Spiske / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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Michael Largey
Michael Largey
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother told me "Never feel entitled to gratitude. And that's not the point, anyway."

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#23

My senior year in high school (96), my church youth group (which was run by probably the greatest history teacher ever) took a trip to DC. Man did we have a good time. Anyway, we were taking the Metro and I was sitting in a seat. At a stop people got on. One was a lady probably in her mid 50's. I stood up and offered her my seat. She thanked me and sat down. She look at me and said "You aren't from around here, are you?" I looked at Mr. Thompson and said, "No ma'am. We are from Alabama." I don't think I had ever seen him look that proud about anything. I bet I heard him tell that story 3 times while we were on that trip. I've never felt so good about doing the right thing. Here in Alabama, that is just something we are taught. I know, tooting my own horn, but I think that qualifies. Him being so proud of me is one of my all-time fondest memories.

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#24

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Fill the tank when they borrow a car.

puppibreath , Dawn McDonald / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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#25

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing When they wait for you to get in the house/building before they leave.

terribletoiny2 , Vlad Deep / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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Daria
Daria
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought you let people exit before entering, no? According to the etiquette.

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#26

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing When they don’t talk badly about someone’s physical appearance.

imokayyall , Trung Thanh / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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Joseph Dixon
Joseph Dixon
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never understood this, other than it being a sign of their own insecurities.

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#27

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing When they’re at your house for dinner and they offer to help with the dishes.

erminegarde27 , Nathan Dumlao / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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Karina
Karina
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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You dont offer, you do. If you offer, people will decline even if they want the help, since you are a guest. So you have to deside if you want to be seen as a guest, or a friend.

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#28

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing In a meeting, some of my kid’s (middle school) teachers told me that he thanks them as he exits class each day. That made me proud even though I’m not the one who directly taught him that.

REC_HLTH , Max Fischer / pexels (not the actual photo) Report

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How times have changed. We did that after every class, en mass!

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#29

I bartend and worked in restaurants forever. When the ONE person in a group/party can help sort out tabs when everyone is lit, offer to help pay whatever is left, communicate appetizers properly, be kind in the midst of the chaos. Absolute gems.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I ran pubs (bars for our American friends), whenever we had a staff night out one person was the nominated sober person. They didn't have to pay for their soft drinks or food and got free food on the next outing. Their only job was to make sure that we were welcome back!

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#30

30 Habits And Behaviors That Are Signs Of Good Upbringing Knowing when to be kind and knowing when to be firm.

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3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s possible to be kind AND firm at the same time.

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