Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Love Yourself and Take Care of Yourself
• Part 2 of 3: Treat Others with Respect and Dignity
• Part 3 of 3: Be kind and polite
• Tips

What does it mean to be a lady? The answer to this question is changing as society's perceptions of femininity evolve. At the same time, there are signs of a real lady that will be important at all times, since these qualities invariably cause admiration in people: kindness, honesty, grace and elegance, respect for oneself and others. Thus, to be a lady means, in essence, to be a dignified and well-bred girl or a girl who treats people and herself well.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Love Yourself and Take Care of Yourself

1. 1 Maintain healthy habits and hygiene. Taking care of yourself is easy - you need to eat well, exercise regularly, take care of your body, and get enough sleep at night. You will not only be healthy and in great shape, but also ready for anything at any time! Hygiene is also essential to stay healthy, feel good and look good.
   • Shower daily, wash your hair, brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss. Keep your nails trimmed and clean. You do not need to overdo it with lotions, creams, scrubs and other cosmetic products: a good soap, towel and moisturizer are enough.
   • Make your breakfast healthy. It is especially important for children and teenagers because it energizes before the start of the day - which is necessary for success in school and sports.
   • Sometimes you can indulge in something tasty and unhealthy, but in general, choose healthy foods.
   • Exercise in the morning. It can be tough at first, but over time, your body will become involved. Morning exercise kicks off the metabolic process and triggers a rush of endorphins that improve mood, wake up and focus.
   • Teens and young adults require 7 to 10 hours of sleep a night, so don't sacrifice it for friends, work, or other reasons.
2. 2 Be mature and look for balance. Wisdom and maturity grow from independence, self-confidence and self-control. You've probably heard the expression "everything is good in moderation." It applies to all aspects of life. Throughout our lives, we need to find a balance between what we enjoy and what we have to do, between fun and compulsory activities. Do not deprive yourself of opportunities that are open to all - get an education, do not drop out, set goals, set expectations for yourself and others. However, do not forget to enjoy life!
   • Decide for yourself whether to use cosmetics. If so, use colors and shades that complement and accentuate your natural beauty, and remember that less is more. The presence or absence of makeup will not make you a lady to a greater or lesser extent. The same applies to jewelry and accessories.
   • Working hard is important, but having fun and relaxing is just as important. A smart and mature lady knows when to devote time to herself.
3. 3 Treat yourself with dignity and respect. Loving yourself and respecting yourself means appreciating your own uniqueness and being true to yourself. Don't compromise when it comes to your values, and don't try to change yourself to impress anyone. Be confident and your strength will attract others.
   • Learn to say no and don't be afraid to refuse if asked for something unacceptable. Peer pressure is a powerful weapon, but a strong personality resists the temptation to do everything in order not to stand out, and remains true to himself.
4. 4 Dress to express your personality. In life, you will constantly be faced with a different dress code. At school, at work, in the club, at meetings, in other places - everywhere there are different requirements and expectations for clothes. It is important to dress in a way that makes you feel comfortable. You will demonstrate self-respect and self-confidence by wearing clothes that you like and that reflect who you are, rather than dressing up immodestly and too overtly to attract attention. Clothing is not paramount, but it can help you feel confident, elegant, and strong.
   • Clothes should always be clean, tidy and, if necessary, ironed.
   • Nice items made from quality fabrics are more expensive, but they will last longer and make a better impression.
   • Neutral and pastel colors are classics that never go out of style.

Part 2 of 3: Treat Others with Respect and Dignity

1. 1 Be understanding and tolerant. You don't have to share the values ​​or traditions of everyone else, but strive to understand and recognize the differences that make people unique. Be tolerant of other people's habits and lifestyles, and you will be treated the same way! Everyone in the world has a different height and appearance, grew up in a different cultural environment and with different beliefs, but at the same time we are all human, and we have a lot in common. Being tolerant means appreciating what makes each of us special, not rejecting others because they are different from you.
   • Have the courage to stand up to intolerance and oppression. They can take the form of racism, sexism, age discrimination, religious intolerance and other forms of bigotry. When people show injustice or prejudice, talk to them about it and encourage them to free themselves from prejudice. If you really care about human rights and discrimination, you can write about it on social networks, find like-minded people and try to attract the attention of the press and authorities.
   • Don't judge people until you get to know them, and don't make guesses. If you are interested in something, ask the person a question. He may be embarrassed to answer (especially if you don't know each other), but there is nothing wrong with asking, and your efforts will be appreciated.
   • Be a peacemaker and offer yourself the role of arbiter in disputes between friends or classmates. In this capacity, you will help them communicate more effectively by letting everyone speak up on their own and making sure that disputants do not interrupt each other and the atmosphere of discussion does not escalate.
2. 2 Do not offend or insult people. Nobody likes rude, offensive people. Stick to the old rule: if you can't say anything good, you better keep silent. If someone is rude to you, the best thing you can do is turn around and leave. Tell the abuser that his behavior is unpleasant for you, but do not provoke him into further rudeness and do not stoop to respond in kind.
   • Don't make fun of people or practice your wit by hurting other people's feelings.
   • Avoid using bad language and offensive jokes. Don't make jokes about someone's culture, appearance, sexual orientation, or other personal issues.
   • Be tactful and don't intentionally embarrass anyone.For example, if your friend is very shy, don't draw everyone's attention to her to avoid embarrassing or upsetting her.
3. 3 Respect other people. You can show respect for others by respecting their feelings and being honest, open, and fair. They will understand that you are a good person and deserve, in turn, their respect. This applies not only to parents, teachers and elders - everyone, young and old, deserves respect, and you can show it by being polite, courteous and reliable.
   • One of the simplest ways to show respect is to respect other people's time and be punctual.
   • Address seniors and strangers to "you".
   • Keep your promises.
4. 4 Give the other person your full attention during the conversation. Be an active listener: listen carefully and try to understand. People don't always express their feelings or intentions directly, so if you're not sure what they mean, it's best to ask a clarifying question. During a call:
   • Put the phone aside - let your attention completely belong to the interlocutor.
   • Make eye contact and show that you are listening.
   • Watch your body language. Arms crossed on the chest indicate a desire to protect oneself. Try to keep your arms in a natural position at your sides.
   • Don't interrupt: you still have time to speak up! When you have finished speaking, give the other person the opportunity to respond.
   • Show that you are passionate and interested in the conversation. Do not talk about yourself all the time, do not try to surpass the interlocutor with your stories. When appropriate, smile or change your facial expression (in moderation, not grimacing).
5. 5 Be honest and humble. Don't brag about anything - things, money, friends. Likewise, avoid constantly repeating your accomplishments, or people will feel uncomfortable in your company. They say that honesty is the best policy, and it really is, whether you are hanging out with friends, family, coworkers, classmates, or anyone else. Lying is rude and disrespectful, and you will be ashamed if caught, so it's always best to tell the truth.

Part 3 of 3: Be kind and polite

1. 1 Be polite and courteous. People do not always notice courtesy, but they always notice its absence. Manners and etiquette are important in any area of ​​life - at school and at work, at a friendly dinner and at a business meeting, even during a simple telephone conversation. Your politeness will tell others that you are used to being respectful and tactful.
   • If manners aren't your forte, sign up for an etiquette course.
   • Hold the door in front of people.
   • Memorize the names of the people you meet. Please refer to them by name. When the person has just introduced themselves, mentally repeat their name three times if you are having difficulty remembering names.
   • Don't gossip.
2. 2 Greet people and talk to them. Introduce yourself to new acquaintances and introduce to each other those you already know. Don't be afraid to be the first to start a conversation with a new person at school or at a party! Perhaps he is embarrassed to start an acquaintance himself, and he will be grateful that you turned to him first.
   • Compliments are a great way to start a conversation. Praise the person's boots, shirt, or hairstyle, or say other nice words.
   • Ask the person questions about themselves to engage them in the conversation. When appropriate, respond with something personal (but not too personal) about yourself so that you have a conversation, not an interrogation.
   • Avoid sensitive topics like religion or politics. Start with a few non-binding phrases (called "small talk" in English) and keep the conversation flowing easily.
3. 3 Say please, thank you, and excuse me. If you ask a person for a favor, say please, even if it's just about passing the pepper. When he does, say thank you. This is the easiest way to show appreciation.Congratulate people on important achievements, on achieving goals - everyone is pleased that their hard work has been appreciated. If you make a mistake, don't be afraid to apologize. You don't have to apologize over every little thing. However, if you're wrong, a simple “I'm sorry” will help reconcile and show people that you care about their feelings and that you are strong enough to admit that you were wrong.
   • Give compliments and gratitude from the bottom of your heart. If you are insincere, people will notice.
4. 4 Display good table manners. Table etiquette is a complex science, especially when it comes to a gala dinner with many changes of dishes, each of which requires its own cutlery. However, even a daily meal requires basic etiquette.
   • Chew with your mouth closed and don't talk with your mouth full.
   • Ask to convey to you what you cannot reach. Never reach yourself over a neighbor on the table.
   • Cut and eat one piece at a time.
   • Sit up straight and do not rest your elbows on the table.
   • Use a tissue to gently blot your lips.
   • Say "I'm sorry" if you need to leave the table.
   • Don't drink until you've chewed.
5. 5 Be generous and willing to lend a helping hand. If you want to be a lady, it doesn't matter how big and beautiful your house is, what car you or your parents drive, how much money you have. But for a lady, as for a gentleman, kindness and character are important.
   • Donate old clothes to charities.
   • Be active in your surroundings. Get to know your neighbors.
   • Help those who need it, even if the help is just getting the child across the road.
   • Congratulate your new neighbors on the new home.
6. 6 Volunteer and donate to charity. Not everyone can give money to charity (especially if you are not already earning money on your own), but help in the form of a couple of working hands will be greatly appreciated in many places. Volunteering is a great way to bring real value, meet new people, help the community, and show your prospective employer that you are generous and caring for others.
   • If there is an organization in your city that delivers food and warm clothes to the homeless, it will probably need help. You can do this on weekends or after school.
   • Spend time with the elderly. At home, in a hospital, or in a nursing home, old people often feel lonely and enjoy it when someone comes to talk or just be around.
   • Contact your local animal shelter and see if an assistant is needed.
   • Find a cause you are truly committed to and look for an organization you can join.
7. 7 Share your knowledge with those who need it. Explain to your classmates the subjects in which you are strong, help your friends prepare for tests and exams.
   • Help junior high school students or children of relatives and friends learn to read and write. Chat with a few kids so they can actively practice.
   • If among your acquaintances there are elderly people who want to learn how to use a computer or other modern devices, you can give them lessons.
   • Teach the children about the sport you are doing or offer to help their coach.
8. 8 Know how to keep the conversation going. Talking to strangers is difficult at first, but you will get used to it over time. Give the interlocutor the opportunity to speak; if the conversation stalled, ask a couple of questions. Everyone loves to talk about themselves, besides, sincere interest is a manifestation of politeness. One of the most important aspects of conversational skills is listening.
   • Try to find some of your hobbies that will be interesting to discuss.
   • Follow the news and events in the world. This is important both for broadening one's horizons and for being able to maintain a conversation, as people often discuss these topics.
   • Speak slowly, clearly, and eloquently; avoid swear words, parasitic words and slang.
   • Knowledge is power: the more you know, the easier it will be for you to find common topics of conversation, even with a stranger.
   • Avoid boring and negative topics that can spoil the mood of the other person, such as death, war, violence, or drugs. Know how to have a light conversation (and discuss serious topics in private with those who are close to you and who are not indifferent to them).

Tips

• Don't let others determine who you are. This means that you must know who you really are, both externally and in your soul, and not let your friends or family decide it for you.
• Never stop learning and always strive to be better.
• Ideas about femininity (and masculinity) and what it means to be a lady are constantly changing. Compare this to fashion: things come in and out of fashion, as tastes change, and with them, people's ideas about style and beauty. The same applies to the concept of "being a lady" - in every era and in every generation, the concept of femininity will be different.