“Etiquette isn’t a set of ‘prescriptions for properness’ but merely the guidelines for doing things in ways that make people feel comfortable” - Queen Elizabeth the Second

 

What exactly are etiquette, protocol, and manners? Etiquette refers to “the rules and conventions governing correct or polite behavior in society, in general, or in a particular social or professional group or situation” (bib #3) Protocol is derived from the Greek words “Protos,” which means “the first,” and “Kolla,” which means “glue.” This is because it is considered the glue that holds everything together. It falls under the umbrella of etiquette and is usually used in royal, diplomatic, and state events. Protocol refers to the behavioral rules for cultures around the world that have been accepted and agreed upon internationally during international conventions and conferences. (bib#5) Manners are defined as “putting people at ease by being selfless and being respectful to others, which shows morality” (bib#5) and is the natural extension of protocol and etiquette.

 

Everyone agrees that there are rules of proper etiquette. Although some say these rules are outdated, unimportant, and cause more problems. However, this is not so. Because the value of etiquette and protocol are underappreciated in the U.S., they are subsequently

under-taught, which is a detriment to our society. This is supported by three major ways. Firstly, protocol and etiquette are valuable and are shown by historical examples of breakdowns in society because of the lack of protocol and etiquette. Secondly, current U.S. teaching is insufficient and doesn’t correlate with historical norms and current global norms. Thirdly, the lack of education and understanding of protocol and etiquette in the U.S. has detrimental effects on the society

 

Protocol and etiquette are valuable. Throughout history, there are examples of what happens without etiquette and protocol. Some of these examples are the breakdown of social order, increased misunderstandings and conflicts, inefficient systems and processes, and challenges in diplomacy and governance. Some examples are the Fall of the Roman Republic, the Russian Revolution, and the Rwanda Genocide.

Lack of protocol and etiquette can result in the loss of cultural identity. This can be seen in the cases of many colonized nations, leading to a subsequent breakdown in conflict resolution and oftentimes increases in war and criminal activity. In the case of Native Americans here in the U.S,. assimilation schools purposefully taught and enforced white American etiquette and forbade Native practices in an attempt to homogenize Native peoples into American culture.

A lack of protocol and etiquette can lead to disruptions in professional and economic settings. This can be caused by something as small as serving the wrong colored rice during a business meeting to something as significant as putting a U.S. military operation such as Unified Assistance at risk. Without the knowledge of protocol and etiquette, it causes barriers for creating personal relationships such as judging someone by their actions when you don’t know the full meaning behind them.

When etiquette and protocol are followed, there is an understanding of one another and is the foundation of peaceful communication and mutual respect. This is the most important part of everyday life and is an important pillar of diplomacy and international relations. This facilitates peace and allows cultures around the world to coexist. Etiquette and protocol not only

can resolve conflicts and disputes such as the ones listed above but can prevent them from happening in the first place, saving countless lives. Enacting protocol and etiquette displays caring and humility and is an embodiment of Christ’s command to love thy neighbor. Protocol and etiquette are not just important around the dinner table; they are important everywhere.

This is especially true in the U.S. military, where having the proper training and knowledge in etiquette and protocol can be the difference between life and death while overseas.

 

Current U.S. teaching is insufficient and doesn’t correlate with historical norms and current global norms. Protocol and etiquette have been valued in cultures throughout history. It was taught formally and used in different cultures as early as 3000 BC when the Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and the Chinese began to create agreed-upon rules of conduct for their rituals and communication. The Greek and Roman empires valued protocol and etiquette and showed it through teaching ethical conduct and proper behavior through mentorship and public discourse. During the Renaissance period, it was popularized because of the court of Louis XIV of France, with it becoming the expected norm for all of society. In the 18th and 19th centuries protocol and etiquette education was facilitated through the creation of manuals which were used to teach in the home, in finishing schools and as an important part of the formal curriculum in schools around Europe and later in the U.S. Protocol and etiquette continued to be formally taught in the United States and around the world up until the early 20th century.

Etiquette and protocol are still valued and upheld in most cultures around the world.

Because of this, it continues to be taught in households, educational systems, and businesses worldwide. It is expected to be correctly practiced in everyday life and is taught through experience in society. Prioritizing the teaching and preservation of etiquette ensures that social cohesion, professionalism, and international relations are maintained.

Unfortunately, that is not the case in the United States.

The U.S. protocol and etiquette was based on the court etiquette of the French. The original settlers of the US were predominantly lower-class working people whose primary focus was survival in the new world. Subsequently, court manners were not viewed as a priority when they first landed here. In spite of this, people still valued protocol and etiquette, and it was taught in home life and in school. When finishing schools began to be founded in the mid-1800s, people strived to achieve an education from them in order to become successful in society.

Public schools incorporated protocol and etiquette training into their curricula. At the base was an understanding that protocol and etiquette were extensions of Christian living.

In contrast, our society today in the U.S. no longer values or practices etiquette and protocol. Because the value is no longer recognized, it is no longer formally taught in family life or in public school. This decline started in the mid-20th century, and it became less taught after the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. These countercultural movements removed Christian teaching from schools and encouraged individual expression over traditional social norms. By the late 20th century, schools had largely removed structured etiquette training from their curricula by removing civics and home economics. Protocol and etiquette were also negatively impacted through the takeover of television and social media, where face-to-face interactions have become less common, and informal online communication replaced formal social engagement.

The lack of education and understanding of protocol and etiquette in the U.S. has detrimental effects on its society. Some examples of negative effects that have become visible in our society are the inability to disagree without offense. This can be seen in many political conversations that escalate into arguments due to the fact that it is not recognized that, although people don’t agree with someone else’s beliefs, the person should still be shown kindness towards them. Through a Christian view, it would be loving your neighbor, and it is only through this that there may be a resolution to a problem.

The lack of understanding of one another or another’s etiquette leads to disrespect towards each other and other cultures. By not seeing the whole picture, we judge others by only what we can see. People don’t have an open mind and a will to learn about other people's norms of etiquette. They believe that what they do is right and everything else is wrong, and it is very rare that this mindset leads to a respectful outcome, as shown in both personal, government, and business situations.

Because of the lack of protocol and etiquette, there are barriers to creating relationships, which limits People’s ability to work with each other. Without knowing the correct etiquette, there is not a universal foundation that people can build on that everyone can recognize and respect, which is used to make working with others possible.

 

Some people would say that the rules are outdated and therefore not worth knowing. Although the rules of protocol and etiquette are old, there is a reason that they have lasted for so long, and that is because they are the glue that not only holds a society together but also holds the world together. Some people may also state that protocol and etiquette cause more problems than they solve and cause artificial striation and hierarchy, are not loving and inclusive, promotes judgement, and puts uneducated people at a disadvantage. However, everything that is listed happens when there is no protocol and etiquette. Knowledge of protocol and etiquette creates common ground for all to use, no matter who they are.

Through this, there is the creation of relationships and understanding without disrespect. This means that protocol and etiquette does not cause artificial striation and hierarchy. Instead it enables people to show more love to others, and makes an inclusive environment with more understanding and less judgment. By supporting and putting into practice the etiquette and protocol of a culture it becomes the norm which allows people who are uneducated to learn the protocols and etiquette of their culture as they would the language of their culture, which is done by being surrounded and immersed in it.

 

In conclusion, because the value of etiquette and protocol are underappreciated in the U.S., they are subsequently under-taught, which is a detriment to our society. This is supported in three major ways. Firstly, protocol and etiquette are valuable and are shown by historical examples of breakdowns in society because of the lack of protocol and etiquette. Secondly, current U.S. teaching is insufficient and doesn’t correlate with historical norms and current global norms. Thirdly, the lack of education and understanding of protocol and etiquette in the U.S. has detrimental effects on the society

 

This matters to everyone, especially the United States. Because protocol and etiquette are the foundation for peace both personally and globally. Without protocol and etiquette, there

would be chaos, and since the United States culture no longer recognizes the importance of protocol and etiquette, there are already effects of it in our society that can lead to much worse outcomes in the future.