The history of good manners goes back to the third millennium BCE. The ancient Egyptians wrote a didactic book of precepts extolling civil virtues such as truthfulness, self-control and kindness towards other people. (2375–2350 BCE)

In France it is said that it started in the royal courts in the (1600s and 1700s BCE) Then the Ancient Greeks and the Europeans were using table manners since the Old Testament and other examples of chivalry date back as far as the eleventh century.

England has a long history of strict social codes but the history of the etiquette we use today really derives from the court of Louis XIV of France because at that time France was the 'center of the universe' and all the courts of the known world followed where the French led. 

A good manners chart is simply a chart used to organise and highlight manners in an easy-to-consume way. Educational materials are needed to highlight not only bad behaviours but also good behaviours. Not forgetting the “Golden Rule": Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, or treat others how you would like to be treated. By minding your manners, your friends and other kids will look up to you and adults will be impressed with your maturity.

Good manners are the very basis of one's conduct and behaviours. Values link need and action. They cannot be separated from our feelings and behaviours. J.C Hill rightly says that 'good manners come from having sympathy with others and from understanding our own limitations.'

The 'Good Manners' chart was first issued to Queensland schools in Australia in 1898 by the Education Department. The chart was based on rules formulated by the Children's National Guild of Courtesy which had been founded in the UK elementary schools in 1889. 

The copyright for most works will expire and the work will enter the public domain either 95 years after publication or 70 years after the death of the author. 

The chart continued to be issued to Queensland schools until the 1960s. I redesigned it in 1990 and I kept it in the same wording as it has always been but I did add one line, “May I leave the table please?”.

The titles of the Good Manners Chart reads as follows:

Children's National Guild of Courtesy

As To Themselves

At Home

At School

At Play

In The Street

At Table

Everywhere

Remember