MMGA: Make Manners Great Again!
I’ve always loved acronyms. Growing up, my younger sister and I spoke in them constantly. We invented our own catchphrases— inside jokes that somehow stuck. CYD. GCM. NBK. She probably could have turned it into a business venture. Instead, they were just games we played — our childhood language.
Then came MAGA — Make America Great Again — and suddenly acronyms became cultural shorthand. Political slogans, movements, messaging in four letters. Which made me think… What if we created one everyone could agree on MMGA? Make Manners Great Again. Because frankly — we could use it.
WWLD? Let’s start here with my Lisa-isms on manners:
• Good manners begin long before we speak. They begin with awareness.
• Good etiquette isn’t about perfection; it’s about paying attention.
• Good manners don’t cost a dime, but bad ones can be costly.
• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• What you say — and how you say it — signals empathy, respect, or disregard.
• Presence is one of the rarest forms of respect today — and one of the most powerful.
• Everyone has a mouth. When you open it, you are telling the world who you are. Blunt? Perhaps. True? Absolutely.
Practical MMGA Rules. Let’s keep this simple.
• Leave your phone off the table.
• Listen before you speak.
• Say thank you, please, excuse me.
• Write handwritten notes. Thoughtfulness always deserves ink.
• Never embarrass someone publicly.
• RSVP to invitations (Yes, it still matters.)
• Be present. Fully present.
Manners are not outdated. They are distinguishing.
In a world of noise, civility stands out. Politeness is powerful. This four-letter acronym isn’t political—it’s personal. And it might just be the movement we actually need.
The Golden Rule
Manners make the difference.
Join the Movement
So here’s my question: Are you in? Let’s make manners great again—in our homes, in our workplaces, at our tables, and online.
Start today with small gestures that will make a big impact:
• Hold the door.
• Write the thank-you note.
• Make eye contact.
• RSVP on time.
• Step away from your phone.
Manners Matter. Start Here.
If you’re ready to elevate how you show up — at the table, in conversation, at work, and online, my online Dining Etiquette Masterclass is a great place to begin. Modern etiquette isn’t about rigid rules. It’s about confidence, awareness, and knowing how to navigate today’s world with grace. Right now, I’m offering the class for $19.99 (normally $59.99) as a Lunar New Year special. Learn more here.
About Lisa Mirza Grotts
Lisa Mirza Grotts is a nationally recognized etiquette expert, author, and media contributor known as The Golden Rules Gal™.
She has spent more than two decades teaching the value of consideration — helping people navigate everything from dining tables to boardrooms to digital conversations with confidence and ease.
Blending timeless principles with modern realities, Lisa brings clarity to what good manners look like today.
Follow Lisa on Instagram @GoldenRulesGal
