Zits, Washington-manners And Rules
Posted on January 27, 2008
Filed Under Recreation and Sports, Self Improvement |
“Like…what’s that on your face?” the young girl blurted out to another young girl in the mall. Being less than ten feet away, I couldn’t help but see the zit was bigger than the nose on a clown in the Fourth of July parade. Could she have been more rude? I don’t think so. How could she say that in front of the girls friends and several strangers?
We see poor manners everywhere…the mall, theatre, restaurants, airports…anywhere people gather. A very good friend, Sybil Atwood, recently shared her concern with what she phrased, “the end of civility” in our society. Once again, Sybil has inspired me to dig a little deeper.
Now I know you’re wondering “How is Terry going to tie Zits, Washington and Independence Day together?” Washington was our first President, Independence Day, that’s a simple one, but what about zits? At the age of sixteen, Washington wrote a list of rules for civil behavior. It’s widely thought he did so for a penmanship assignment or school project.
There are 110 Rules on the list and some are difficult to interpret. However, if we applied these rules in our daily life, we wouldn’t need to worry about the end of civility. Let’s look at a few of the rules:
Good Listening Skills#4– In the Presence of others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.
Non-Verbal communication#20-The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
Good communication skills#74-When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended.
#107-If others talk at the table, be attentive but talk not with meat in your mouth. I can’t help but think how most of these rules were taught to us as small children.
Being a good boss#59-Never express anything unbecoming, not Act against the Rules Moral before your inferiors.
#67-Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding.
The Rules tell us where to walk, when to sit and how to greet others. Rule #9 was particularly helpful for me; Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it. Perhaps the young lady in the mall should have followed rule #71; Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. Keep civility alive!
Follow rule #110-Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.
As always, thank you Sybil, my friend! If you would like a copy of Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior simply drop me an email request and an electronic copy will be sent to you.
Terry Wisner, the “Life Saver Dude,” International Speaker, Consultant, and author, shares his experience and knowledge through energetic, entertaining, and enlightening presentations and seminars. Do you want to experience improvement in; Customer Service, Teamwork, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, or simply Self-Improvement? Then, visit Terry at http://www.terrywisner.com or http://www.p2s.us and learn more about how Personal Partnering can help you and your organization succeed…two people at a time.
Tags: change, civility, Goals, love, manners, partners, relationships, sales, sex, win
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