social skills and manners

SOCIAL SKILLS AND MANNERS

“Manners” are a set of behaviors which have been regionally agreed upon as a means of providing group cohesion and cooperation. They can differ greatly between countries, states, towns, or even households, and so it becomes imperative to limit your expectations for the behavior of another. We can't possibly know the social norms embedded in each and every individual we encounter, so modern day good manners just include being thoughtful and open-minded and receptive to differences.

First, let me explain that "manners" and "mannerism" are very different things. "Manners" refers to polite social behaviour. A "mannerism" is an idiosyncratic habitual behaviour -- an odd quirk that a person does repeatedly. Your mannerisms drive your spouse and children crazy. 

Basically, manners is a way in which something is done. I am going to assume you mean good manners. Good manners usually express the norm, or what is expected. Manners, or etiquette, are the things you do to make others feel welcomed and comfortable. They also are designed to let people know that when someone does something nice for you, you should always thank them, either in person, or by a thank you note. When talking about dinner table manners it means to eat in such a way that you do not gross people out.