Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Joseph — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:59:19 -0000

See also George Washington's Rules of Civility

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Mike C — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 18:46:54 -0000

All etiquette serves the Gentleman's core consideration suitably subtle statement:
"Never forget that, if you are faithful in a few things, you may be ruler over many."

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Rick from Bensonhurst — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 20:54:44 -0000

Odd? I was always taught that when a gentleman walks with a lady, he should always strive to impose himself between her, and the buildings. This, as danger posed by hoodlums and ruffians is more likely to come from doorways and alleyways, than from the open street.
Further, it allows the lady, in all her finery, an unobstructed view from passing carriages.
Still, one supposes circumstance may dictate an alternative course.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Roberto — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 23:54:28 -0000

i love writing in a notebook. i had a teacher in grade six who taught us penmanship. a lot of loopy circles as i recall. my writing isn't that legible now, but i noticed that people like my mom and other ladies always had really nice handwriting, it was taught in schools.

yes, this is a good list. there is something appealing about decency.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Justin — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:56:54 -0000

Definitely found a few that I could improve upon.
Would love the opportunity to read an article on penmanship, and of ways to improve upon it. It is one of those topics that is repeatedly stressed in various articles; however, it is rarely expanded upon.

Thank You.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Jobinson — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 06:44:23 -0000

Hey this is a huge Never List, I have to bookmark this page, Yes everyone has to follow this to live a life of respect, but this Never list never end here, it grows according to many situations and circumstances

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

AAAAANDRE — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:31:56 -0000

Hill's Manual is the Best!

I rescued a beat up copy from the trash and have treasured it since.
You can find it at archive.org as a PDF if you dig around a little...
here:
http://www.archive.org/sear...

There's a few versions, not sure which is best?

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Nicholas — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:57:37 -0000

My favourite is:

"Never associate with bad company. Have good company, or none."

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

FC Lurker — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:42:36 -0000

Rather than a list of "nevers," I'd like to see a list of "always."

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Jeffrey K — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:44:59 -0000

I especially appreciate the one about traveling abroad, because as an American. I feel as if I need to be highly respectful of other countries when traveling, as often my countrymen are thought of poorly in this category.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Chris — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:41:32 -0000

This is a great list, and I will refer to it often. However, the first verb is misspelled. Please look again at exaggerate, and then feel free to delete this comment. Thank you so much for your insightful and useful website.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Robin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:11:38 -0000

Never whisper to someone when there are other persons present.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Dino — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:35:23 -0000

Never, when traveling abroad, be over boastful in praise of your own country

My favourite, seeing as I constantly encounter foreign people here in the UK who go on and on about how much better their country is than Britain - if you don't like it here pal then go home.

By the way I'm Italian by birth

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Michael Moon — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:47:10 -0000

This post is a gift. Thank you, Brett. Duly noted and accepted with pleasure.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Mike M. — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:23:13 -0000

I don't think there is anyone alive who can honestly say they have done all of these. Certainly I can't.

But that fact should not dissuade us from trying.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Mario Bertoluzzi — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:08:34 -0000

How great, Brett. Thank you for your service to us! You dig up these great things. I read this with my wife and we very much enjoyed it.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Virilitas — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:48:29 -0000

@Mike: I have read that Washington copied out the rules (from the Jesuit book) by hand in order to learn them. Thanks to Art of Manliness, we have additional rules to copy out and to let sink in. For maximum efficiency, I like to combine that sort of repetitive-writing, memory exercise with penmanship practice.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Mike J — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:19:38 -0000

Rod Newbound, above, mentioned George Washington. If you like this kind of book, then his 'Rules of Civility' is a must read. Interestingly enough, this set of rules was itself based on another book by French Jesuit priests that Washington had read as a young man. I'm sure we could trace them back even farther to Greek philosophers and beyond, so I'm so glad you posted this article. It is so important to keep these traditions alive.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Jack — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:17:25 -0000

I especially like the rule about leaving a postage stamp in letters you send asking for help. I know it really doesn't apply now but I found it cleverly polite.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Rod Newbound, RN — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:42:33 -0000

An interesting find. Thanks for sharing Brett & Kate.

One which immediately jumped out at me is: "Never associate with bad company. Have good company, or none."

It reflects a saying of George Washington: "Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company."

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Jeff — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:42:22 -0000

This was definitely my favorite:

"Never attempt to convey the impression that you are a genius, by imitating the faults of distinguished men. Because certain great men were poor penmen, wore long hair, or had other peculiarities, it does not follow that you will be great by imitating their eccentricities."

I know a lot of guys who need this advice.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Jsthegr8 — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:40:51 -0000

Thank YOUS

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Uberhack — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:08:45 -0000

Great list. Timeless and wise.

Except for the line, "Never laugh at the misfortunes of others."

Some of the best and heartiest laughs I've ever had was after a buddy does something knuckeheaded or clumsy. Should be a clause in there for laughing at friends.

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Jacob — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:51:03 -0000

Wish more business men and women would follow these, who knows we may not be in the current economic crisis we are in now

Re: The Unclassified Laws of Etiquette

Wil Wade — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:47:26 -0000

"Never, when walking arm in arm with a lady, be continually changing and going to the other side, because of change of corners. It shows too much attention to form."

I would disagree with this in the case of today as most of the world does not have sidewalks and wide margins from the street. I would say to attempt to always stay between the lady and the passing vehicles. Today it is a matter of safety not a matter of mud splatter.